The Robot Makers program is back for its fourth edition, featuring a new virtual format to train 116 middle and high school teachers as well as college professors, Department of Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Manuel Laboy announced. “Like all projects being developed in the midst of the emergency due to the spread of COVID-19, […]
A month into the government-mandated island-wide lock-down and curfew to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Permits Management Office (OGPe, in Spanish) has processed 11,100 procedures for 46 products requested through the Single Business Portal. Department of Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Manuel Laboy said of that total of approved applications, more than […]
Looking to continue to fulfill its mission to support high-impact entrepreneurship on the island, even in the midst of a pandemic, international startup initiative parallel18 announced the selection of 14 Puerto Rican companies that will make up the eighth generation of its P18 accelerator program. The group of companies showcases the growth from parallel18’s pre-acceleration […]
Sam’s Club Puerto Rico has distributed five food wagons worth $100,000 among 25 nonprofit organizations throughout the island to support their mission of assisting different disadvantaged populations during the emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “In the challenging times we are experiencing, we have to unite and collaborate to start moving forward,” said Iván Báez, […]
The local financial sector “failed miserably in Puerto Rico’s hour of need” by not helping to close more loans and secure aid for the island’s small business sector through the Paycheck Protection Program, the Center for a New Economy concluded in an analysis of the effects of the federal initiative. The island failed to take […]
Public relations agency DOT has launched the “Support the Makers” program In support and recognition of individuals, small businesses and organizations that have reinvented themselves during the COVID-19 emergency. The project aims to publicize the services and initiatives that are being carried out during the quarantine period among the community and make the communications agency’s […]
Fundación Triple-S has allocated $250,000 to support nonprofit organizations that are working to address food insecurity and other urgent needs in communities around Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 health crisis. The first four organizations chosen to receive the funds are: World Central Kitchen Puerto Rico; Food Bank of Puerto Rico; Iniciativa Comunitaria; and Albergue El […]
Gov. Wanda Vázquez signed into law a bill presenting several amendments to the Puerto Rico Tax Reform passed last year that will benefit taxpayers, entrepreneurs and seniors. Law 40-2020, grants an additional 3% reduction for taxpayers whose gross income does not exceed $100,000; eliminates the tax on the provision of services rendered to other businesses […]
The Open Society Foundations announced a $500,000 investment in Puerto Rico to respond to short-term humanitarian needs on the island driven by the coronavirus while also “making sure that Congress and the Trump administration, as well as local governments in Puerto Rico, recognize the needs of Puerto Ricans during this difficult time.” The investments will […]
Puerto Rico U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow and the Elder Justice Task Force announced the launch of an islandwide COVID-19 testing initiative for all residents and employees in Puerto Rico’s long-term care facilities. This multi-agency, multi-sectoral initiative will cover more than 1,000 facilities, 28,000 residents, and 9,000 employees and caregivers during the next three weeks, […]
The U.S. Small Business Administration released a report today confirming that Puerto Rico’s banking partners approved a combined 2,856 loans for a total of $658.5 million under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as of April 16. In total, the loan count for eligible businesses across the U.S. mainland and its territories totaled 1.7 million, representing […]
Popular announced that the Small Business Administration approved a total of $494 million in loans to its clients under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Of these, $398 million was granted through Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and $96 million through Popular Bank, Popular’s banking subsidiary on the U.S. mainland. The Paycheck Protection Program was well received in Puerto […]
By Eliván Martínez MercadoCenter for Investigative Journalism President Donald Trump’s administration is steering the response to the coronavirus like a pilot who flies blindfolded. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for 12 years has failed to comply with its obligation to operate a centralized digital platform to share information, as close as possible […]
The Puerto Rico Community Foundation is leading the charge on a collective movement of nonprofits to “drive and strengthen” its collective response to COVID-19 community strategy. The PRFC has joined forces with the Amgen Foundation, donors such as The Chicago Community Trust, Central Florida Foundation, and The Prospect Hill Foundation, as well as individuals who […]
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.5 million grant to the Roosevelt Roads Redevelopment Authority to rehabilitate a building and make other infrastructure improvements on former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads. The EDA grant will support early-stage businesses focused on the visitor economy and is […]
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