(UTULEI: Friday, March 5, 2010) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today announced the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded American Samoa $1 million for broadband mapping and broadband planning. The Office of the Governor and the American Samoa Department of Commerce have partnered with BroadMap to create a broadband availability map and to measure current high-speed internet access coverage for American Samoa.

The breakdown of the actual award: $558,000 for broadband mapping and $500,000 for broadband planning.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) has allotted $7.2 billion for the development and expansion of broadband nationwide, $350 million of which is set aside for the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA) to enable states and territories to develop granular and transparent broadband serviceability maps.

(UTULEI: Wednesday, January 20, 2010) - Governor Togiola Tulafono has announced a joint working relationship with Pima Pacific Partnership of Tucson, Arizona to research public and private funding opportunities, as well as provide grant writing and program development services for the American Samoa Government (ASG).

(UTULEI: Friday, January 15, 2010) - Governor Togiola Tulafono has appointed Attorney General Fepulea'i Afa Ripley Jr. as Acting Governor. In a General Memorandum issued yesterday,  Governor Togiola said the "appointment shall terminate upon my return to the Territory or the Lieutenant Governor's return, which ever occurs first."

Governor Togiola will return to American Samoa this Sunday night, January 24th.

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(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today issued the following statement regarding the search by law enforcement authorities at the Immigration Offices in Utulei and Pago Pago International Airport.

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today was informed of the final selection of the 2010 Junior National Football Team and World Team rosters as it was formally announced by USA Football, the sport’s national governing body on youth and amateur levels.

The teams will compete in USA Football's “Team USA vs. The World” game in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 30th during the NFL Pro Bowl Week. The game matches USA Football's 2010 Junior National Team - 45 of the country's top high school seniors - against a “World” team composed of 45 of the best players aged 19 and under from outside the United States spanning eight countries on four continents.

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today reported on the permanent housing construction program, temporary school facilities and Disaster Unemployment Assistance on his weekly radio program–Mo Lou Silafia–on KSBS-FM 92.1.

Permanent Housing Construction Program

Governor Togiola said the construction for the permanent housing program is scheduled to begin on January 11th for families who chose to have FEMA contractors build their house. Site inspections have begun for approval of work orders with the permanent housing construction program.

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today announced that Food Stamp recipients will receive a 6.4% increase in monthly benefits starting January 1, 2010, and new eligibility criteria have been approved by the federal government.

Governor Togiola said he has been informed by Human and Social Services Director Leilua Stevenson that American Samoa’s requests for increase in Food Stamp benefits, and an increase in the minimum gross monthly eligibility income level for applicants to qualify, has been approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDOA) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono has announced the appointment of the Museum Board of Trustees.

In a General Memorandum (GM) dated December 22, 2009, Governor Togiola appointed First Lady Mary Ann Taufa’asau Tulafono, Secretary of Samoan Affairs High Chief Tufele Fa’ato’ia Li’amatua, Executive Director of the Amerika Samoa Council on the Arts, Culture and Humanities Le’ala Pili, National Park Service Archaeologist Epifania Suafo’a Taua’i, and Historic Preservation Officer and Territorial Archaeologist David Herdrich.

Governor Togiola has appointed First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono as Chairperson of the Board.