Guam Economic Development Authority

What Guam Economic Development Authority does

The Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) is a government public corporation of the Government of Guam, established in 1965 and headquartered in Tamuning, Guam. It functions as the territory's primary economic development agency, serving local businesses, entrepreneurs, foreign investors, and industries operating in or considering entry to Guam. GEDA operates multiple specialized divisions, including administration, accounting, planning, and a dedicated office handling U.S. Department of Defense programs.

GEDA administers a portfolio of incentive and financing programs designed to stimulate private-sector investment and job creation. Core offerings include the Guam Development Fund Act (GDFA) loan program (up to $1.2 million per loan), the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF, up to $250,000), the Guam Regional Landfill Loan Program (GRLP, up to $1.2 million), the Qualifying Certificate (QC) tax-incentive program (up to 75% income-tax abatements for up to 20 years), and a suite of State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs, for which GEDA has secured $19.5 million in federal funding. The agency also manages the 177-acre Industrial Park Program with 23 active leases, the Guam Product Seal certification program, the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), and foreign direct investment outreach tied to the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (which allocates 10,000 immigrant visas annually to the CNMI).

The business model is non-commercial: GEDA is funded through government appropriations and federal program allocations rather than market-priced services. Revenue-generating activity within its portfolio includes lease income from industrial tenants, origination and servicing fees on loans, and economic output (approximately $92 million in gross sales, $26 million in payroll, and $4 million in gross-receipts tax annually) generated by Industrial Park tenants, who collectively support roughly 600 jobs. GEDA does not have equity investors, pay dividends, or pursue profit maximization; instead, its performance is measured against territory-level KPIs such as visitor arrivals (782,840 in 2025), payroll employment (68,440 as of December 2025), and Guam's GDP ($6.91 billion in 2022). Current executive leadership comprises CEO/Administrator Christina D. Garcia and Chairwoman Siska S. Hutapea.

Name

Guam Economic Development Authority

Legal name

Guam Economic Development Authority

Website

https://investguam.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) is a 1965-established government public corporation that administers loan financing, tax incentives, industrial park management, and export development programs to stimulate private investment and job creation across Guam.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Public Administration (92), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Finance Services (6199), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Debt Management (BPAIAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Property & Asset Management (Federal Buildings, Fleet, Land) (BPAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Government loan programs
• Tax incentive administration
• Public finance services
• Export development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hagåtña

HQ country

Guam

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Operations and Public Finance Services: As a public corporation under Guam Code Annotated Title 12, GEDA operates as the central financial manager and consultant for the Government of Guam. They manage bond issuances, provide financial planning services, and administer various loan and grant programs funded through government appropriations and federal programs.
2. Tax Incentive Administration: GEDA administers the Qualifying Certificate (QC) Program which provides tax benefits including income tax rebates, business privilege tax abatement, real property tax abatement, and use tax exemptions to qualifying businesses making eligible investments in Guam.
3. Loan and Financing Programs: GEDA administers loan programs including the Guam Development Fund Act (GDFA), Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), Guam Recovery Loan Program (GRLP), and SSBCI programs. Revenue comes from loan processing fees, origination fees, and interest on loans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

GEDA is Guam's central economic development authority that administers loan financing programs for agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, tourism, and support industries; tax incentive programs (Qualifying Certificate, Special Hotel QC, Community Recycling); export development support through the SBA-funded Guam STEP program; public finance services including bond issuances and Private Activity Bonds; real property and industrial park management; and the Guam Product Seal certification program for locally manufactured products.

Product overview

Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) is a public corporation that serves as the island's central economic development agency. GEDA offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services organized into several categories: loan programs (Guam Development Fund Act, Agriculture Development Fund, Guam Recovery Loan Program, and SSBCI programs) providing financing to businesses in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, tourism and support industries; tax incentive programs (Qualifying Certificate Program, Special Hotel Qualifying Certificate, and Community Recycling Tax Incentive) offering income tax rebates, property tax abatement, and use tax exemptions; export development services through Guam STEP including Export Readiness, International Marketing, and Trade Promotion Programs; public finance services managing Government of Guam bonds and debt; and real property programs including the Industrial Park Program. The organization also administers the Guam Product Seal certification program for locally manufactured products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guam Development Fund Act (GDFA) Loans Loan program providing financial assistance through loans and loan guaranties (up to $1,200,000) to private enterprises in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, tourism, and support industries. Includes application fees ($20), credit report fees ($10/applicant), processing fees ($100), and origination fees (2% of loan amount); interest rate up to 4% + U.S. Treasury Index Rate.
• Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) Loans Joint loan program (maximum loan amount $250,000) with the Department of Agriculture and UOG College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, supporting bonafide farmers in agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, mari-culture, and commercial fishing. Interest rate fixed at 4% with a one-year line of credit term.
• Guam Recovery Loan Program (GRLP) Loan program (maximum loan amount $1,200,000) providing financial assistance to private enterprises in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, tourism, and support industries. Interest rate fixed at 2% above U.S. Treasury Index Rate; program expires December 31, 2029.
• SSBCI Loan Programs State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs providing loan support for small businesses on Guam, supported by $19.5M in SSBCI funding secured by GEDA.
• SSBCI Surety Bond Assistance Program Program partnering with Moylan's Insurance Underwriters to help local businesses win construction bids by providing surety bond assistance.
• Qualifying Certificate (QC) Tax Incentive Program Tax incentive program created under Public Law 8-80 providing income tax rebates, business privilege tax abatement, income tax rebates on dividends, real property tax abatement, and use tax exemption based on eligible investment commitments and job creation.
• Special Hotel Qualifying Certificate Program Special incentive program offering enhanced tax benefits for hotel development projects in response to demand and anticipated growth of Guam's tourism industry.
• Guam Community Recycling Tax Incentive Tax incentive program promoting recycling through community partnerships and encouraging sustainable circular economy activities on Guam.
• Guam Product Seal (GPS) Certification Certification program established in 1986 to stimulate economic opportunities by promoting products manufactured in Guam. Certified products must have a minimum of 50% value added in Guam through substantial transformation. A $25 non-refundable application fee applies, and certificates expire annually.
• Guam State Trade Expansion Program (Guam STEP) SBA-funded program assisting eligible small businesses enter and succeed in the international marketplace through the Export Readiness Program, International Marketing Program, and Trade Promotion Program.
• Public Finance Services Central financial management and consulting for the Government of Guam, including obtaining funds through bonds, structuring bond issuances, preparing bond prospectuses, managing relationships with bond rating agencies, and acting as centralized financial planner for all government agencies.
• Private Activity Bonds (PAB) Tax-exempt bonding authority creating a lower-cost long-term capital source under the Federal Tax Act of 1986, including Qualified Mortgage Bonds, Mortgage Credit Certificates, Qualified Redevelopment Bonds, Qualified Residential Rental Projects, and Exempt Facility Bonds.
• GEDA Industrial Park Program Real property leasing program through which GEDA manages 23 individual property leases on 177 acres of developed land across Harmon, Tamuning, and Port Authority areas, generating approximately 600 jobs, $26 million annual payroll, $92 million annual gross sales, and $4 million annual gross receipts tax.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average annual employment of 600 jobs and $26 million payroll from Industrial Park Program alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Pacific Small Business Development CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerResource partner providing small business development services. GEDA refers entrepreneurs and small businesses to Pacific SBDC for additional support and training programs.
• Guam Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerResource partner representing the business community. Collaborative relationship for business networking, referrals, and promoting economic development initiatives.
• Guam Women's ChambersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerResource partner supporting women-owned businesses. GEDA provides programs and resources in collaboration with GWCC for female entrepreneurs.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal agency partner for the Guam State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). SBA provides funding and program guidelines for export development assistance to eligible small businesses.
• Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project partner for Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). Provides certification and recommendation for bonafide farmers seeking loans. Jointly administered with UOG College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
• University of Guam College of Agriculture and Life SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project partner for Agriculture Development Fund. Partner provides expertise and certification support for bonafide farmer determinations.
• Moylan's Insurance Underwriters, Inc.supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance partner for SSBCI Surety Bond Assistance Program, helping local businesses win construction bids by providing surety bond support.
• Guam Ancestral Lands Commission (GALC)supportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner agency for real property development. GALC oversees properties returned by U.S. Government to GovGuam that may be available for development.
• Chamorro Land Trust Commission (CLTC)supportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner agency managing remaining public lands under CLTC purview for potential development opportunities coordinated through GEDA.
• Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA)supportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner agency managing airport properties that may be available for development within GIAA's purview.
• Port Authority of GuamsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner agency managing port properties including a 2.8-acre lot within the Port Authority included in GEDA's Industrial Park Program.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SelectUSA: SelectUSA is the U.S. federal investment promotion agency performing foreign direct investment attraction at the national level, comparable to GEDA's concierge role for foreign investors establishing on Guam.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): SBA funds the SSBCI and STEP programs that GEDA administers, making it both a federal program partner and a broader incumbent in small business capital and export development comparable to GEDA's mandate.
• Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT): Hawaii's DBEDT administers state-level economic development, tourism, and energy programs for a Pacific U.S. state, comparable in mission to GEDA but operating at larger scale with similar Pacific-Asia orientation.
• U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA): The federal EDA provides grants and technical assistance for economic development across all U.S. states and territories and is a direct funding/oversight counterpart to GEDA's program portfolio.

Others

• International Finance Corporation (IFC): The IFC is the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, providing development finance, advisory, and investment promotion in emerging markets — adjacent to GEDA's role as an economic development finance and incentive authority, with overlapping program design but operating globally.

Regional players

• Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: The Pacific Islands Forum coordinates regional economic development and policy across Pacific island nations, comparable in mandate to GEDA but operating at a multi-country regional level rather than for a single U.S. territory.

Direct peers

• U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority: The USVI Economic Development Authority administers tax incentive programs, economic development projects, and enterprise support for the U.S. Virgin Islands — a near-identical mandate to GEDA as a U.S. territorial development authority.
• American Samoa Government Department of Commerce: American Samoa's commerce authority performs economic development and business promotion functions for another U.S. Pacific territory, mirroring GEDA's role on Guam with similar scale and federal-territorial remit.
• Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO): PRIDCO is the territorial economic development corporation of Puerto Rico, administering industrial parks, tax incentives, and business financing — directly comparable to GEDA in mandate, structure, and program portfolio.
• CNMI Department of Commerce: The CNMI Department of Commerce administers economic development, business licensing, and incentives for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — a neighboring U.S. Pacific territory with overlapping functions to GEDA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/_investguam
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@guameconomicdevelopmentaut7834
• Facebookfacebook.com/GuamEconomicDevelopmentAuthority
• Instagraminstagram.com/_investguam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Guam Economic Development Authority