Business & Community Grants: GEDA opened Series 9 of its Qualifying Certificate Community Contributions Program, making up to $15,000 available for 19 village mayor offices and totaling $285,000 in direct grants for healthcare, public safety, economic development, higher education and cultural preservation. Local Economy & Tourism: The Association of Pacific Ports held its 112th annual conference on Guam, with port leaders stressing that port readiness underpins both regional trade and military posture. Hospitality & Real Estate: Pacific Star Resort & Spa’s new owner Eastern Contractors says renovations are targeting an October start, with an estimated $60M in upgrades and a projected finish in the second quarter of 2028. Infrastructure & Utilities: CCU approved Guam Waterworks Authority’s request to pursue up to $110M in bond borrowing to fund water and sewer improvements and help meet EPA-related requirements. Workforce Development: Guam’s Department of Labor received a $609,335 federal grant to expand apprenticeship training, aiming to grow the award to $1.8M over three years. Retail & Dining Growth: New businesses are opening across Guam, including Krave Kitchen in Dededo, as operators navigate food inflation, labor costs and supply chain headwinds. Banking: SC First Bank launched a Korean Air Mileage Deposit with base rates up to 3.65% for time deposits, plus mileage and ticket promos. Public Safety & Compliance: A bill would restrict unauthorized drone flights near Port Authority of Guam critical infrastructure, with misdemeanor and felony penalties depending on intent and actions. Elections & Governance: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero vetoed the FY2027 budget bill, citing a business privilege tax rollback cut that would reduce revenues without a replacement plan, and transmitted a revised balanced budget keeping the 4% BPT rate.