The Northern Marianas has received more than 90 million US dollars in federal stimulus grant money.
The Commerce Secretary, Mike Ada, says the government is now focusing on submitting applications for competitive grant money.
He says the first application submitted was for a grant that would fund an additional 45 law enforcement officers in the Northern Marianas.
Mr Ada, who leads the CNMI's effort for stimulus money, says his team will continue to file applications for competitive grants but is also now focusing on reporting.
He says they have now have the money but there's another set of problems they have to address.
He says the hard part is maintaining the money and ensuring they are adhering to all the requirements.
He met with the Office of the Public Auditor recently on the issue.
