if (this.companies == null) {

        this.companies = {};

        if (this.debug_messages >= 2) GSLog.Info("Initialized this.companies = " + this.companies);

        for (local c_id = GSCompany.COMPANY_FIRST; c_id < GSCompany.COMPANY_LAST; c_id++) {

            this.companies[c_id] <- null;

            this.companies[c_id] = {

                goal_id = null,

                inauguration_date = null

            };

            if (this.debug_messages >= 3) GSLog.Info("Initialized this.companies[" + c_id + "] = { goal_id = " + this.companies[c_id].goal_id + ", inauguration_date = " + this.companies[c_id].inauguration_date + " }");

        }

    }