During the award ceremony at FirstBank, from left: Nayda Rivera, executive vice president of FirstBank, Vanessa Lee Feliciano, executive director of the American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter, Aurelio Alemán, and Geraldine Cerame, financial development coordinator for the local Red Cross.
During the award ceremony at FirstBank, from left: Nayda Rivera, executive vice president of FirstBank, Vanessa Lee Feliciano, executive director of the American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter, Aurelio Alemán, and Geraldine Cerame, financial development coordinator for the local Red Cross.
The American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter recently recognized FirstBank’s commitment with the community and its $10,000 donation to assist families affected by Hurricane Irene and the torrential rains unleashed by storms Emily and María last year.
“We feel very pleased to help communities when events of this nature happen, and in all circumstances. Our thanks to the Red Cross for this recognition,”said FirstBank President Aurelio Alemán.
During the adverse weather events, the American Red Cross provided assistance to more than 2,000 people in 49 municipalities of Puerto Rico. Annually, the American Red Cross responds to more than 400 disasters like fires, floods, hurricanes and other natural and man-made disasters.
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
“This project not only represents a significant investment in our island’s tourism infrastructure, but also symbolizes Puerto Rico’s ability to attract and execute large-scale projects.
The Investment Portfolio Program, with a budget of $800 million, plays a crucial role in offering loans with favorable terms for the development of projects that have the potential to transform the Puerto Rican economy.”
— Puerto Rico Housing Secretary William Rodríguez regarding the construction of a $77 million dual-branded hotel project in San Juan’s Convention Center District, featuring Hilton’s Hampton and Homewood Suites.
The project by PRISA Group includes a 400-vehicle parking structure and a 175,000-square-foot hotel tower, financed by Banco Popular and a $10 million federal disaster recovery loan from the Economic Development Investment Portfolio Program managed by the Department of Housing.