Guam plays a pivotal role as a military outpost for the United States. While the island currently houses 26,000 military personnel, these numbers will rise to around 44,000 by 2037. This rising population of military personnel will challenge the territory in more ways than one, altering its infrastructure, power, and water to accommodate the new citizens. Guam hosts Andersen Air Force Base, Naval Base Guam, and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.
Attorney General Douglas Moylan (R) addressed territory senators in a letter, discussing the prospective addition of 2,500 new military personnel in the next two years and what the territory could do to accommodate these new residents in terms of resources. Specifically, “Much of Moylan’s March 4 letter related to concerns with power and water services, including alleged service inadequacies due to the assumed 45,000 figure and criticisms of the Consolidated Commission on Utilities, the direct governing board for the Guam Power Authority and Guam Waterworks Authority,” according to the Guam Post.
Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Katie Koenig spoke about the broader impact of this growth on the territory. She said, “These numbers also represent new civilian jobs that will bring significant job opportunities for the residents of Guam in fields including medical, engineering, shipyard work, teaching, security, and service industries.”
While new job opportunities serve the military population and local economy, such economic growth will also cause challenges. Moylan has already started speaking with concerned citizens and their complaints regarding the limited resources, such as water and power in Guam. Moylan’s office has reports from citizens complaining the Guam Power Authority has not provided equal power to the entire territory. Instead, they prioritized military bases. As a result, there have been sporadic blackouts throughout Guam, risking injuries in citizens’ daily lives. He stated that [this behavior] “has caused our people to bear a higher burden of unannounced rolling blackouts, increasing the risk of injury to our health, safety, and welfare.”
Introducing new military forces brings a bigger population, and the territory will need to adapt to these growing numbers.
“While the island currently houses 26,000 military personnel, these numbers will rise to around 44,000 by 2037.”
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Great news! Business activities will grow and unless you are standing still, there will be more opportunities to thrive.