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09/05/2025 - The Saipan Chamber of Commerce welcomed potential new investor Zo Motors and Team King Investment (CNMI) LLC, which recently closed its $12.95-million purchase of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC’s property in Garapan.
“Zo Motors’ interest is very important because we believe that it's going to be one of several new industries that are seriously looking into the CNMI. With our history here and with many communities, it always takes that first investor to set the stage. If it works for Zo Motors, the concept is that it should work for others as well,” said Chamber president Joe C. Guerrero in an interview with Marianas Press after the monthly Chamber meeting last Sept. 3 at the Crowne Plaza Resort & Spa Saipan.
Guerrero even chimed in on Zo Motors’ supposed dealings with the CNMI Zoning Office as it seeks to build a manufacturing facility on Saipan.
“We're grateful that they were able to get their land rezoned for the purpose that they need, as I understand, with the site and Zoning Office a couple of weeks ago. The Chamber has been meeting with them and seeing how we can support them in every way,” he said.
The Chamber president said one of the first questions they had with the Japanese manufacturer of next-generation energy commercial vehicles is about their manpower needs, considering the CNMI’s challenges in recruiting workers.
“They did mention that at the beginning, they'll have to import some of their specialized workers. The assembly of their products is fairly technical. They did say at the outset that they are looking to hire immediately a local workforce augmented by some foreign workers. I hope that one day it'll be all local workforce in their mix. We're excited for the opportunity that they're bringing,” said Guerrero.
As for Team King Investment, Guerrero said he’s hopeful that the new investor can finally move the Garapan property forward.
“I guess it's great news, right? A sad ending to the project there, and how it unfolded. But we're hopeful that with this bridge that they crossed and new ownership, they will really start to invest. That $12.95 million is just a drop in the bucket for what's really needed to make that investment successful. They've assured the court at least that they have good intentions, and they're going to be investing a lot more.”
The Chamber president did acknowledge that Team King Investment may have to change the business model of what IPI set out to do for the Imperial Pacific Resort.
“The initial business model that IPI was pursuing, a lot of things have changed in the market in terms of gaming and regulations of gamers from China in particular. Ownership of a casino by Chinese citizens is prohibited. Things have changed since the IPI started in the CNMI. They're going to have to contend with this new environment. We'll hope for the best,” he said.
‘It's unfortunate, not surprising’
Asked to comment about the closure of Triple J Payless SuperFresh & Truckload Store at the end of October, Guerrero said it was kind of expected.
“Unfortunately, not surprising for us... They're a long-term investor in the scene, so they might close this one, but maybe open up something else that makes sense. Chatting with their officials earlier, it's about demand. There's not enough spending power in the community right now, unfortunately, but things will change...Perhaps they'll open up again in the future, but for the foreseeable future, they said they just can't sustain their operations anymore,” he said.
Guerrero added that the CNMI has yet to actually feel the positive effects of the U.S. military buildup, even as the U.S. Air Force hosted a Mentor-Protégé Program workshop on Saipan.
“We're still waiting on DoD to really spread opportunities throughout our islands here. They're doing a lot in Guam, but with the CNMI, there's still a lot that we're hopeful DoD can really provide opportunities for our people. Until that turns around, I hope we don't see more closures such as the Triple J Truckload Store,” he said.
The Chamber’s general membership meeting last Sept. 3 also saw tax lawyer Tina Azarvand talk about updates on tax regulations under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and CNMI Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho make a presentation on the CNMI Public School System’s career readiness programs.
The event also saw the Chamber hold a scholarship ceremony for 18 students from the Northern Marianas College and Northern Marianas Technical Institute. They are the following:
2025 College Scholarship Recipients
● Nelson Issac Acaba, pursuing an A.S. in Natural Resources Management
● Christel Ann Aninzo, pursuing an A.A. in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Kinesiology
● J’Dean S. Calvo, pursuing an A.A. in Liberal Arts
● Zunica Castro, pursuing a B.S. in Education, Rehabilitation & Human Services Concentration
● Harley D. Eriich, pursuing a B.S. in Education, Elementary Education Concentration
● Hyena Kim, pursuing an A.A. in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Kinesiology
● Feifei Lei, pursuing a B.S. in Education, Elementary Education Concentration
● Jaren Allan Babauta Lifoifoi, pursuing an A.A. in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Education.
● Hui Lin, on the path of becoming an educator
● Breanna Sue L. Mafnas, pursuing both an A.A. in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Education and a B.S. in Education, Elementary Education Concentration
● Zandra Caine S. Mariano, pursuing an A.A. in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Kinesiology/Nursing
● Maili Peter, pursuing an A.A. in Liberal Arts
● Chelsy Anne P. Reyes, pursuing an A.S. in Natural Resources Management
● Rhine Jaydel A. Russell, pursuing a B.S. in Education, Rehabilitation & Human Services Concentration
● Sylvia Ledesma Sanchez, pursuing an A.A. in Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Social Work, as well as a B.S. in Education, Rehabilitation & Human Services Concentration
2025 Pellegrino Scholarship Recipients
● Juan Carlos Calvo, studying Carpentry
● Jose Isaias Thomas Itibus, working toward a Certification in Heavy Equipment Operations
● Lodel Marian L. Callejo, studying Baking and Pastry
Chamber executive director Kimberly Camacho said scholars received between $500 and $1,000 each, and total scholarship awards disbursed by the Chamber this year amounted to $12,000.
Report by Mark Rabago
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