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 + " }");
        }
    }