Greetings!

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for standing with the Guam Chamber these past several months in support of the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) reduction. On Monday, September 29th, eleven members of the 38th Guam Legislature voted to override the Governor's veto of Bill No. 44-38, successfully passing the FY2026 GovGuam Budget, which also included the BPT rollback of 0.5% effective October 1, 2025, and another half percent in October 2026 for the full 1%. This outcome represents the collective efforts of our business community and underscores the importance of your engagement in the policy process. Your phone calls, personal discussions, written testimonies, and presence made all the difference in reminding senators that a healthier private sector is essential to economic growth, job creation, job sustainability, and long-term prosperity for our island.

While this was an important win, our work is far from over. We must stay vigilant as the government navigates spending priorities. The Chamber will continue to work with our elected officials to advance policies that strengthen our island's business environment and promote opportunities for all. Thank you once again for your support. Together, we have made a significant impact for the private sector.

Welcome to the first days of October, which signal many things, including shorter days, seasonal activities, and strategic planning. With the busy days ahead I hope there is time to engage and grow with your Guam Chamber. As you scroll through the activities below, be sure to calendar a Chamber event or two into your busy schedule! Happy weekend!


Onward Together,

Catherine Castro

President

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 9th

Brews at the Bank Mixer

Looking for a great opportunity to connect with local professionals and build valuable business relationships? Join us at the upcoming networking mixer at BankPacific in Hagåtña on October 9th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. There will be raffle prizes too! If you wish to contribute a prize for the mixer, please contact your Guam Chamber. Special thanks to BankPacific and Ambros, Inc. for co-hosting this fun event!

2025 Toys for Tots!

American Medical Center

Atkins Kroll (All showrooms)

Agana Shopping Center 

American Medical Center

American President Lines

BankPacific (All branches)

Burger King (Hågatna & Tumon) 

Cruz Benefits Consultants 

CTSI Logistics  

Core Tech (In-house collection)

Docomo (Tamuning)

East Island Tinting/ Paradise Auto

East West Business Center

Fedex  

Gilbane Federal (Construction)

GHD Inc

Grand Plaza Hotel

Guam Ink Hustle 

Guam Chamber of Commerce

Guam Regional Medical City (In-house collection)

Granite Construction Company

Guam Pak Express

Hotel Nikko Guam

Hyatt Regency Guam

Hilton Guam Resort & Spa

IT&E (All locations) 

KFC Guam ( All locations) 

Matson Navigation

Mega Drug Pharmacy (All locations)  

Moylan’s Insurance

Navy Federal Credit Union

PFC Finance (All locations) 

Pacific Island Club 

RIHGA Royal Laguna Guam Resort

Security Title

Sylvan Learning Center

The Guam Economic Development Authority

Title Guaranty of Guam

Triple J Enterprise (Tamuning and Dededo) 

Triple J Five Star

Tommy Hilfiger

USO Guam (All locations) 

UOG Endowment Foundation

Wyndham Garden 

Federal Shutdown:

What This Shutdown Means for Businesses

The federal government has entered its sixth shutdown in 30 years, with significant implications for businesses, communities, and the economy. The U.S. Chamber is actively advocating for solutions.

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• In a memo to U.S. Chamber members, Executive Vice President Neil Bradley addresses two questions about this shutdown.

How might this shutdown differ from prior shutdowns?

• Federal agencies have discretion to determine essential functions, keeping some operations running with staff working without pay.
• Recent appropriations provide the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security with more operational leeway.
• The administration may use the shutdown to implement permanent staff reductions, raising legal and operational questions.
• Thanks to a 2019 law, furloughed workers will be paid automatically once the government reopens.

How long will this shutdown last?

• While far from certain, the political dynamics suggest this shutdown could be on the longer end of the historical norm, possibly stretching to the middle of October.

What we’re doing:

• Called on Congress and the administration to avoid a shutdown.
• Urged U.S. Senators to pass legislation to keep the government open.
• Provided a guide for small businesses to navigate the shutdown.

Share your story: Is your business impacted by the federal government shutdown? If so, we want to hear from you. Submissions will be kept confidential.

MORE from the U.S. Chamber

U.S. Chamber has prepared a memo on the federal government shutdown (Read the Memo)

2025

Tactical Action Plan and

Industry Report Updates

Click here

View Guams SBDC'S

2025

Training Events!

View Guam APEX

Accelerators

2025

Training Events

Si Yu'os Ma'åse to our Centurion Plus Sponsors!

Si Yu'os Ma'åse to our Centurion Sponsor!

Si Yu'os Ma'åse to our Centennial Contributors!

Ada's Trust & Investment, Inc. • Arnett Consulting, LLC • Assurance Brokers, Inc. dba: AB Risk Solutions • Bank of Hawaii • Black Construction Corporation

California Pacific Technical Services, LLC • Coffman Engineers, Inc.

Guam Insurance Adjusters, Inc. • Guam Music, Inc. • Hilton Guam Resort & Spa

HMI Guam • Hotel Nikko Guam • Island Skin Spa • Joe & Franks Auto

Jerold W. Filush, CPA • Marianas Steamship Agencies, Inc. • Matson Navigation Company

Micronesian Drivers Associations, Inc. • North Wind Group • Outback Steakhouse

Pacific Islands Development Bank • Phoenix Pacific (Guam), Inc.

Salt + Light Realty • SignKing, Inc. • Sylvan Learning Center

TNN Guam, Inc. dba: The Tsubaki Tower • Triple J Enterprises, Inc.

Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods, Inc. • Triple J Rentals (Guam), Inc. dba: Hertz Licensee