Greetings!

Happy New Year! Ready or not, 2026 is here, and it looks to be an exciting one. Already, the Guam Legislature has a public hearing scheduled for January 14th to hear comments from the public about Bill No. 4-38, which seeks to tie Guam's minimum wage to the consumer price index (CPI). Based on the comments from our recent survey, there is a majority of members who have expressed concern about the bill and its potential impact on their businesses. If you haven't completed the survey, please do so. It takes a few minutes and offers an opportunity for comments. Your voice will help the Chamber shape our testimony for the upcoming public hearing. We also urge you to share the survey and the date of the public hearing with your partners and colleagues. We cannot express how important your voice is on proposed legislation such as this. Scroll down for more information and a link to the survey.

We are pleased to announce that Governor Lou Leon Guerrero will be our guest speaker for our January 28th General Membership Meeting at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. We look forward to a great meeting and encourage you to send in your RSVP to save your seat.

Our 2026 Economic Outlook event will take place on the morning of January 15, 2026, at the Dusit Thani Resort. Details on the exciting slate of speakers will be announced in a few days! Please calendar this event!

We'd love to have you join us as we tackle the issues and needs of our business community. Join a Chamber committee and be involved in the action and solutions that pave the way for progress and a thriving community. Ask us about how you can join a committee or working group.

I always look forward to the opportunities the new year brings. May this season bring us a resurgence of energy and innovation that leads to productive engagements and long-term success! Biba 2026!

Onward together,

Catherine Castro

President

Public Hearing Scheduled for Bill No. 4-38

Bill seeks to tie Guam's minimum wage to CPI

The Legislative Committee on Economic Investment, Military Buildup, Regional Relations, Technology, Regulatory Affairs, Justice, Elections, and Retirement, Chaired by Senator Telo T. Taitague, is inviting public comments for Bill No. 4-38 at a public hearing scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

& Friday, January 23, 2026, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The Committee has requested that written testimony be submitted a day before the date of the public hearing via email to: senatortelot@gmail.com. The community is welcome to call (671) 989-8356 with any questions.

Need to Grow Your Network? We can help! Join us!

Joining a Chamber committee is a great way to build relationships, meet new peers, and improve your community. Here are some benefits of joining a Guam Chamber committee: 

• Influence policy: Participate in shaping policies and initiatives that impact your industry;
• Build relationships: Network with other professionals and build a supportive community;
• Get resources: Gain access to industry information, and business development resources; 
• Improve your skills: Attend training sessions and events to enhance your skills and knowledge 
• Give back: Volunteer, participate in initiatives that impact our business environment and the community at large; and,
• Partnering with the Guam Chamber gives you a stronger, united voice!

Here are a list of Chamber Committees and programs that you can get active in today:

• Armed Forces Committee (Additional $150 fee)
• Annual Golf Tournament Planning Committee
• Annual Gala Celebration Planning Committee
• Guam Young Professionals
• Legislative Review & Business Advocacy
• Maritime Affairs Committee
• Membership Development Committee
• Small Business Focus & Development Committee
• Education & Workforce Development Committee
• Chamber Business Women's Network

Call the Chamber office for details: (671) 472-6311/8001

Permitting Reform Momentum Builds on Capitol Hill

Led by the U.S. Chamber, more than 80 organizations are urging the U.S. House to pass the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act to help modernize America’s outdated permitting system. It is slated for a floor vote this week.

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Why it matters: Permitting delays often stall projects for years, driving up costs and hindering economic growth. Reforming these processes is essential to building the infrastructure communities need - improving Americans’ quality of life.

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Details: The SPEED Act introduces common-sense improvements to the permitting process. “It helps focus environmental reviews where they matter, promotes project certainty through requiring clear timelines, and improves coordination among federal agencies to reduce redundant reviews,” the letter states.

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ICYMI: Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act. This bill aims to fix delays in getting permits for clean water infrastructure, making it faster and easier to build the projects needed to improve local water quality.

How States are Tackling the Housing Shortage

State leaders are implementing reforms to address the U.S. housing shortage, which exceeds 4.7 million homes. At the U.S. Chamber’s Housing Summit in November, leaders from Rhode Island and Montana shared strategies their states have used to boost housing supply.

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Why it matters: Housing shortages drive up costs, reduce workforce mobility, and hinder economic growth. For businesses, this means difficulty attracting talent and higher operational challenges.

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State solutions:

Rhode Island: House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi emphasized reforms like online permitting and accessory dwelling units to increase housing stock. “The only way I’ve found to really make a dent in housing prices is to increase the supply,” Shekarchi said.

Montana: Governor Greg Gianforte highlighted the state’s bipartisan Housing Task Force, which modernized land-use regulations, streamlined permitting, and reduced red tape. “We made planning more predictable to support housing growth,” Gianforte said.

Bottom line: Businesses play a pivotal role in building more homes, and that’s why the U.S. Chamber recently launched a housing initiative. “We need the business community to step up,” Speaker Shekarchi said. “Expanding housing supply is not just a societal need—it’s a direct benefit to your business, your workforce, and your community.”

More from the U.S. Chamber:

What is "Customer Stickiness" and How Can it Benefit Your Business?

MWR is seeking local small business vendors who wish to sell products at the "Mini-Marketplace" that will take place at the Quality of Life Expo scheduled for February 21, 2026, at the Leo Palace Resort. Please click the flyer for details.

MWR also has a few more vendor slots for the Expo. The Expo aims to build new partnerships, strengthen existing community relations, and enhance the quality of life for service members and their families stationed in Guam. Whether it is a staycation, a trip to our neighboring islands, outdoor fun, dining experience, valuable resources, or cultural immersion, the 2026 Quality of Life Expo will provide your business the opportunity to showcase your services and experiences to the local and military community on Guam. Vendor Deadline is January 19, 2026. Click to view Expo Vendor details.

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2026

Industry Report Updates

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View Guams SBDC'S

2026

Training Events!

View Guam APEX

Accelerators

2026

Training Events