158K households have signed up to FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program
July 29, 2021
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) confirmed that 158,333 households in Puerto Rico have enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, joining some 4 million others across the US mainland. The $3.2 billion subsidy program initiated by Congress provides a temporary $50 to $75 discount on eligible households’ internet bills during the duration of the pandemic. […]
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Congressmen re-introduce tax credit bill that would benefit US territories
July 28, 2021
US Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) reintroduced the Territory Economic Development Tax Credit Act (TEDTCA), which would create a tax credit for wages and tangible investments made by US-based businesses in US territories. This bill will support job creation and help strengthen the US […]
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Chemical Solutions invests $1.1M to produce organic disinfectant
July 28, 2021
Yabucoa-based Chemical Solutions, LLC acquired the rights to manufacture in Puerto Rico hypochlorous acid, an organic, water-based disinfectant that combats virus and bacteria, and is 99% effective, company officials announced. After months of negotiations and through a $1.1 million investment, this new manufacturing line will catapult Chemical Solutions into the international market, making it the […]
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Puerto Rico Police Association launches lending platform for first responders
July 28, 2021
The Puerto Rico Police Members Association (AMPPR, in Spanish), in partnership with Orchid Funding LLC, announced the launch of a new lending program for its members, public employees, and pensioners. In anticipation of the lending platform’s launch, AMPPR and Orchid closed a $25 million credit facility with Celeres Capital Advisors LLC, Medalist Partners LP, and […]
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SBA grants $4.2M in Puerto Rico through Shuttered Venue Operator program
July 27, 2021
The U.S. Small Business Administration provided an update on the progress of its Shuttered Venue Operator program, confirming that as of July 26, it has approved 28 awards in Puerto Rico amounting to a little more than $4.2 million. The agency also confirmed it awarded one SVOG grant for $92,956 to a program participant in […]
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Puerto Rico Housing Dept. signs $13M disaster recovery contract with consulting firm IFC
July 27, 2021
The Puerto Rico Housing Department recently awarded global consulting and digital services provider ICF a $13 million contract amendment to expand the implementation of the agency’s Single Family Rehabilitation, Reconstruction & Relocation Program (R3). The contract for this work currently runs through summer 2022, ICF confirmed. R3 is a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery […]
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Uber Eats expands beyond restaurants to groceries, other essentials
July 27, 2021
Uber Eats announced it is expanding beyond food deliveries by integrating a greater variety of businesses in its platform. Currently, users can find in the app stores such as the virtual supermarkets Jetson and La Comprita, and even convenience stores such as 24 Market. “As a technology company, continuous innovation is part of Uber Eats’ […]
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First BanCorp. reports $70.6M in net income, up 231% Y-O-Y
July 26, 2021
First BanCorp, the parent company of FirstBank Puerto Rico, reported net income of $70.6 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2021, up 231% from the $21.3 million, or $0.09 per diluted share on record for the same year-ago quarter. The quarter includes a net benefit of $26.2 million recorded to […]
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Luis Muñoz Marín Int’l Airport posts ‘strongest recovery’ for parent company
July 26, 2021
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (LMM) posted the strongest recovery related to passenger traffic, exceeding second quarter 2019 levels by 10% driven by a high double-digit increase in domestic traffic, which more than offset a weaker international performance, Adolfo Castro-Rivas, CEO of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, confirmed The Mexican firm, known as ASUR, is […]
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Ricoh Puerto Rico launches e-commerce platform for business sector
July 26, 2021
Electronic commerce was already on an upward trend, but it grew exponentially in the last year — by 300% in 2020, based on changes in consumer buying habits and the challenges faced by the markets. In the business segment, digital channels such as video conferencing and live chat have emerged as the predominant means for […]
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Popular Inc. reports $218.1M in net income in 2Q21
July 23, 2021
Popular Inc., parent company of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, reported $218.1 million in net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared to the $127.6 million on record for the same period in 2020, representing $90.5M in year-over-year growth. The most recent figure compares to $262.6 million in net income reported for […]
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Rock Solid’s Pérez resigns after 20-yr. tenure
July 23, 2021
Ángel L. Pérez, a well-known entrepreneur and vice president of Rock Solid, recently resigned from his post after 20 years at the San Juan-based software engineering company, News is my Business learned exclusively. Pérez, who officially stepped down on June 24, will stay involved with the company as shareholder. He will also remain as an […]
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FEMA OKs $90M in Community Disaster Loans for earthquake-affected towns
July 23, 2021
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the approval of nearly $90 million in low-interest Community Disaster Loans, known as CDLs, to assist the municipalities affected by the 2020 earthquakes in their long-term recovery. Twenty-five municipalities in the south, center and west of the island benefitted from this federal assistance, which ended on June 30. […]
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Puerto Rico wins $25M settlement from ExxonMobil contaminant suit
July 22, 2021
The US District Court for Puerto Rico approved a $25 million settlement in Puerto Rico’s favor as part of a lawsuit the Commonwealth filed more than a decade ago against ExxonMobil Corp. and Esso Standard Oil Co. claiming the companies contaminated the island’s groundwater. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, through the Environmental Quality Board, filed […]
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Oriental CEO: ‘It’s time to pull out of bankruptcy’
July 22, 2021
OFG Bancorp, the parent company for Oriental Bank, reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, that revealed diluted earnings per share of $0.78 compared to $0.56 in first quarter of 2021 and $0.39 in 2Q20. Total core revenues were $133.3 million compared to $127.7 million in first quarter of 2021 and $128.2 […]
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