Welcome to American Samoa
Gov. Togiola announces funding development assistance for ASG departments
Submitted by Newsroom on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 17:27
(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).
Governor Togiola said Mr. Harry Kessler and Mrs. Carol Carpenter of Pima Pacific Partnership, a non-profit community development organization, will be visiting ASG departments to begin a preliminary assessment of funding priorities that will assist in carrying out respective departmental visions and missions.
“I am very concerned about the state of the local economy and sustainability of government operations once disaster recovery and economic stimulus funds begin to wind down. I have asked all ASG heads of departments to take heed of financial spending over the next 12-24 months and to prepare accordingly,” said Governor Togiola. “One of the challenges faced by many of our departments is the lack of technical expertise in strategic planning, grant writing, evaluation and management of grants and projects.”
Governor Togiola said, at the January Cabinet meeting and also in a General Memorandum dated January 13, 2010, to heads of departments to make time to share their department's goals, objectives and priority needs with Pima pacific Partnership.
“We need to move quickly as funding cycles are coming up and grant deadlines are looming with a very short turnaround time for the new fiscal year. As much as possible, I encourage departments to leverage resources and avoid any duplication of effort,” said Governor Togiola.
Governor Togiola said Pima Pacific Partnership avails ASG of qualified, professional and experienced staff that will work to enhance existing programs and services in addition to build local capacity by securing additional resources and working hand in hand with the local workforce.
“I am confident that through a coordinated effort, we will maximize on all future funding opportunities to improve government infrastructure, increase efficiency in government operations and provide quality programs and services for American Samoa,” said Governor Togiola.
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