U.S. Government Agencies in FSM

Peace Corps

Peace Corps Micronesia began operations in 1966 and has operated continuously in the FSM since that time. More than 4000 Volunteers have served over the past 40 years in a variety of technical areas. Currently Peace Corps Micronesia is transitioning toward assignment of Volunteers to work as teachers at schools throughout the FSM with an emphasis on placement in the more rural communities. As of November 1, 2006 there were a total of 48 Volunteers and Trainees assigned to sites in the FSM with 10 working in Kosrae State, 18 working in Pohnpei State, 6 working in Chuuk State and 14 working on Yap State and the outer islands of Ulithi Atoll and Fais Island. Peace Corps maintains office facilities on each of the States of the FSM and has their main office located in Kolonia on Pohnpei State.

Main Office	P.O. Box 9 Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941 Phone: +691-320-2844 Phone: +691-320-2531 Fax: +691-320-2658
Chuuk Field Office	P.O. Box 39 Weno, Chuuk, FM 96942 Phone: +691-330-2531 Fax: +691-330-2262
Kosrae Field Office	P.O. Box 98 Tofol, Kosrae, FM 96944 Phone: +691-370-3391 Fax: +691-370-3409
Yap Field Office	P.O. Box 190 Colonia, Yap, FM 96943 Phone: +691-350-2196 Fax: +691-350-2172

USDA Rural Development

The Mission of USDA’S Rural Development Program is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for all rural residents. Rural Development has a wide variety of programs to assist in the realization of this mission in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Single Family Housing Program

In the Federated States of Micronesia, Rural Development’s most widely utilized programs are its Single Family Housing Programs. Rural Development’s housing programs provide families with financing for new homes and for home repairs. Elderly individuals may receive grant assistance for health and safety repairs to their homes. Housing agencies may apply for funding to administer projects under the Mutual Self Help Housing Program and/or assistance in mortgage funding through the Rural Home Loan Partnership. Public Bodies and nonprofit organizations may also apply for the Housing Preservation Grant to operate a program which finances repair and rehabilitation activities for homes owned or occupied by very-low- and low-income rural families.

Community Programs

Rural Development’s Community Programs provide public entities and non-profit organizations with grants and long term, low interest loans that can be used for the construction of essential public facilities, repairs, and the purchase of equipment for fire and rescue, telecommunications, schools, libraries, hospitals, etc. Special priority is given to projects to improve health care and public safety.

Business Programs

Business Programs work in partnership with the private sector and community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning. Business Programs help fund projects that create or preserve quality jobs and/or promote a clean rural environment. Rural Development has awarded funds under the Intermediary Relending Program to the Pacific Islands Development Bank, which will re-lend funds to ultimate recipients for business facilities or community development. The Business & Industry Guaranteed loan program is also available.

Business Programs also offer public entities and non-profit organizations the opportunity to seek grant funding for economic planning, technical assistance to businesses, training for entrepreneurs, and cooperative development assistance. Business Programs also offer loan and grant assistance directly to agricultural producers, small businesses, and cooperatives who seek funding for marketing value-added products or who want to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.

In addition to these widely used programs, Rural Development has specialized programs to offer assistance with electric services, water and waste disposal services, solid waste management, and telecommunication services.

To find out more about Rural Development’s programs visit their web-site at www.rurdev.usda.gov or contact your local office.

Chuuk Contact: Kathy Lukas Rural Development Assistant	Suzuki Building P.O. Box 430 Chuuk, FM 96942 Phone: +691-330-2658 Phone: +691-330-4526 Fax: +691-330-4658
Kosrae Contact: Berley O. Araceley Rural Development Manager	Skilling Building P.O. Box 421 Tofol, Kosrae, FM 96944 Phone: +691-370-3198 Phone: +691-370-2198 Fax: +691-370-2079
Pohnpei Contact: Cheryl B. Burkindine Rural Development Manager	Jem's Building P.O. Box 396 Pohnpei, FM 96941 Phone: +691-320-2581 Phone: +691-320-2583 Phone: +691-320-5583 Fax: +691-320-2662
Yap Contact: Anthony S. Falthin Rural Development Manager	Waab Commercial Ctr. P.O. Box 98 Yap, FM 96943 Phone: +691-350-2191 Fax: +691-350-2250

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, which falls under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, assists Micronesian federal, state, and local governments with agriculture, forestry, and environmental protection. The agency is actively involved with demonstrating proper agricultural techniques as well as undertaking traditional resource conservation activities such as improving soil resources and advising on the best practices for resource utilization.

The United States Congress mandated NCRS's presence in the FSM under the first Compact of Free Association in 1985. NRCS continues this mandate today under the second compact.

For mor information, please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.

Contacts:
  Jed Johnson
  Gibson Santos
  Rodasio Samuel

P.O. Box 206
Kolonia Pohnpei FM 96941
Phone: +691-320-5893
Fax: +691-320-2086

U.S. Programs in the FSM