ᝰ✍🏻 .ᐟPenned some quick updates for you!

Happy Labor Day weekend to you! We salute all workers of our island and thank you for your dedicated service and talent in making the island a better place to work and live. Your Chamber office will be closed on Monday, September 1st. We look forward to serving you on Tuesday, September 2nd. Enjoy your weekend!

August 27, 2025 General Membership Meeting Recap

We extend a sincere Si Yu’os Ma’åse to Ms. Sheri D. Fejeran, Executive Director, Guam Association of Realtors, for serving as this month’s General Membership Meeting Speaker. She provided some interesting insights on the current state of housing in Guam. If you missed the meeting, a recording is available below. We are grateful for Ms. Fejeran's time and expertise in fostering meaningful dialogue with our membership.

We also send a warm Thank You to Senator Chris Duenas, who provided the members with a brief on the FY2026 Budget Bill, which was recently passed by the 38th Guam Legislature. The bill includes a 0.5% reduction in the business privilege tax to be enacted on October 1, 2025, and another 0.5% on October 1, 2026, if passed into law. Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has ten days to act on the bill.

Note that our September membership meeting is scheduled for TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd. Our guest speakers will be Rear Admiral Brett Mietus, CO, Joint Region Marianas, and Rear Admiral Joshua Lasky, CO, Joint Task Force-Micronesia.

View Ms. Fejeran's live presen tation

View the ppt presentation

View Senator Duenas' presentation

View Ernie Galito's brief update on the Summary of Findings resulting from the Procurement Summit

Upcoming Events | AUGUST

SEP 15

Extended Deadline

Dave J. Santos Scholarship

Contact the Chamber: info@GuamChamber.com.gu or call: (671) 472- 6311

SEP 25

GYP x SBPA Panel & Mixer

RSVP Required

A GYP Member Exclusive

(Date Change!)

OCT 10

Small Business Seminar "Communicating with Media: Tips for Success"

RSVP Required

View Full Calendar

JDTC Life Skills Workshop

The GYP's Be Inspired Subcommittee hosted a life skills workshop on Friday, August 29th, discussing self-esteem, self-confidence, and goal setting. Students enjoyed the interactive session. Special thanks to the Be Inspired Committee for their support of this worthwhile program.

We are seeking more members to provide these all-important life skills workshops throughout the year. There are four categories of workshops: Work or Job-Oriented Skills, Life Skills or Personal Interests, Self-Esteem and Goal-Oriented Skills, and Sports & Health Development-Oriented Skills. Please call the Chamber office or contact Catherine Castro to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of our at-risk youth.

TAKE THE SURVEY!

The Port Authority of Guam has requested a 17% tariff adjustment from the Public Utilities Commission. This tariff adjustment updates the Port's labor billing to 2025 rates (the last rate increase was in 2020). The Chamber's Maritime Affairs Committee would like to hear from you on how the proposed Port's tariff adjustments petition, should it be approved, will impact your company. Thank you for your participation!

Read the MBJ Article: Respicio details Port fee proposal

Take the Survey!

DAVE J. SANTOS SCHOLARSHIP

Applications Due:

Extended Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025

Juniors or Seniors enrolled in the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration are invited to apply for the Guam Chamber of Commerce Dave J. Santos Scholarship. This scholarship is made available to outstanding business majors of the University of Guam. The scholarship will award one student in the 2025 Fall Semester $1,000.00 plus a paid internship with the Guam Chamber of Commerce.

This scholarship is sponsored and funded by the members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the achievements of the late Dave J. Santos, an entrepreneur, past Chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the 1993 Small Business Person of the Year.

For students (juniors or seniors) who are interested in applying for the Dave J. Santos Scholarship, the digital form is available on the Guam Chamber of Commerce website, or you can click here. An advanced reminder that the deadline to submit applications

For additional information, contact the Guam Chamber of Commerce at 671-472-6311/8001 or email info@GuamChamber.com.gu.

Certificate of Manager’s Certification Requirement for All Retail Food Facilities

Hagåtña, Guam – The Division of Environmental Health (DEH) of the Department of Public Health and Social Services once again reminds operators of a food establishment, and those seeking to operate one, that pursuant to the Rules and Regulations Governing the Issuance of Health Certificates, which was adopted in May 2015, of the following:

All retail food facilities, regardless of the number of employees, including Temporary Food Service Establishments, must have a manager/supervisor on duty during hours of operation who possesses a Certificate of Manager's Certification.

Registration receipt of enrollment in the Certificate Manager's Course is not acceptable; the actual certificate must be presented when requested by DEH. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the suspension of the establishment's Sanitary Permit as authorized by regulations. Download Announcement

U.S. Chamber Updates

Tech helps companies increase efficiency and serve customers better

Almost 60% of small businesses now use artificial intelligence (AI)—more than double the rate from 2023, according to a new report from the U.S. Chamber.

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Big picture: Our interactive map reveals where small businesses have adopted technology to stay competitive and navigate challenges like inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Why it matters: Small businesses are the backbone of local economies. By adopting the latest technology, they can compete with larger companies and better support their communities.

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The problem: A patchwork of laws across the country could stop small businesses from using AI and other technology to serve their customers.

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According to the report:

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65% are worried about navigating conflicting state AI and data privacy laws.

77% say limits on AI would hurt their growth, operations, and bottom line.

What they’re saying: “AI has been a game-changer for Henry's House of Coffee, allowing us to streamline tasks like product descriptions, SEO, and marketing emails,” said Hrag Kalebjian, owner of Henry’s House of Coffee. “It truly helps us be more efficient and focus on what we do best: roasting great coffee.”

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What we’re doing: The U.S. Chamber is working with elected officials to establish a single national technology framework that allows these businesses to thrive. Read more here.

Maga'Haga Awards/ Governor's Art Awards

DEADLINE EXTENDED: September 4th

After 20 years, Guam CAHA will award the Maga'Haga Awards, which recognize the brightest artisans and cultural practitioners. This prestigious event will recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts and culture of Guam. The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 4, 2025, at the Leopalace Resort.

CAHA is seeking your support to help make this event a success as local and federal government funds cannot be used for this purpose. Download the solicitation letter along with the nomination form.

Send any questions to Monica Guzman via email or by phone at (671) 300-7584 or (671) 456-5387. You may also reach Director Taitague, at (671) 300-1207 or via email at angie.taitague@caha.guam.gov.