Amata Welcomes OIA Grant of $389,025 From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Pago Pago – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice of a grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of $389,025 announced by Assistant Secretary Carmen Cantor in a letter Friday to Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga and Congresswoman Aumua Amata.

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), of the Department of the Interior (DOI), awarded these BIL funds to American Samoa Government (ASG) for the Wetland and Mangrove Restoration in Leone Village and Agroforestry Plant Giveaway, a proposal submitted by ASG on May 1. OIA is providing $89,025 above the $300,000 request to cover associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations.

Congress passed the BIL, officially the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, in November 2021 and it was signed into law by President Biden on November 15. Amata supported this act throughout its consideration in Congress as it included major increases to American Samoa’s highway funding formula, secured in Congress by the representatives of the territories working together. The BIL provides over $100 million for American Samoa over five years in support for infrastructure, including roads, bridges, ports, airports, safe drinking water, broadband, cybersecurity, and sewage systems.

“Thank you to Assistant Secretary Cantor for this announcement and other recent funding, and for OIA’s work ensuring American Samoa’s share of federal investment comes through,” said Aumua Amata. “The BIL had bipartisan support because quality infrastructure investment can help strengthen the foundations of any local economy. Congratulations to ASG, especially those who put together the application, as they use this support for restorative efforts in Leone.”

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