Puerto Rico’s next back-to-school tax holiday slated for July 31-Aug. 1
July 7, 2020
The next back-to-school tax-free holiday is slated for July 21 to Aug. 1, The Puerto Rico Treasury Department announced in a circular letter published on its website. That is the first of two such events scheduled for Fiscal 2021, when specific items will be exempt from the island’s 11.5% sales tax. Another tax-free holiday is […]
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Gov. Vázquez urges Puerto Ricans to respond to 2020 Census
July 2, 2020
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez urged Puerto Ricans to respond to the 2020 Census in an effort to increase participation and adequate headcount of residents on the island, where just 22% of residents have responded to the questionnaire. Puerto Rico currently has one of the lowest census response rates in the U.S. amid the coronavirus […]
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FEMA destines $108M+ for 182 recovery projects in Puerto Rico
July 1, 2020
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Puerto Rico’s Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience, or COR3, announced the approval of more than $108 million for 182 projects across the island. Several municipalities will benefit, including Aguas Buenas, Culebra and Aibonito, with grant approvals for 153 permanent work projects that were awarded June 19-25, the […]
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Gov’t lays out security measures at Puerto Rico airports to curb spread of COVID-19
July 1, 2020
Starting July 15, all passengers arriving at Puerto Rico airports will be required to wear a face mask or covering while in the facilities, provide proof that they have tested negative for COVID-19, or in the absence of that, self-isolate for 14 days. Executive Order 2020-052 also calls for passengers to fill out an information […]
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Oversight Board certifies fiscal plans for PRIDCO, COSSEC, 10 towns
July 1, 2020
The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico announced that it certified the Fiscal Plans for the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO, in Spanish) the Public Corporation for Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives (COSSEC, in Spanish) and 10 towns. “Both institutions are important contributors to Puerto Rico’s recovery and economic development,” said the […]
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SBA has guaranteed $1.8B in payroll protection loans in Puerto Rico
June 30, 2020
The U.S. Small Business Administration has guaranteed 36,417 in loans totaling $1.8 billion under the Payroll Protection Program, for which it will accept applications 11:59:59 p.m. tonight, the agency confirmed. The June 30 deadline was provided to the PPP by the CARES Act under the “covered period,” the agency added. The most recent PPP Report, […]
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Puerto Rico curfew extended until July 22, as some businesses allowed to reopen
June 29, 2020
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez issued Executive Order 2020-048, which extends the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew until July 22, as certain government agencies and businesses are allowed to reopen. The governor reiterated the mandatory use of face masks at all times while out in public, maintaining a minimum distance of six feet between […]
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CBP to begin reopening Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment centers July 6
June 29, 2020
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced plans to reopen Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment centers in early July, including the office at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The reopening plans were developed in consultation with CBP health and safety experts to include measures that minimize the risk of exposing travelers and CBP personnel to the […]
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Puerto Rico Treasury Dept. pays out $26M in tax return refunds
June 26, 2020
The Puerto Rico Treasury Department disbursed additional $26 million in income tax return refunds for the 2019 tax year, pushing the total number of payments to more than $400 million, agency Secretary Francisco Parés said. “This week we’re sending refunds of $26,247,554 to some 35,116 taxpayers. Our commitment is to continue disbursing all the aid […]
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FEMA assigns $9.5M to Puerto Rico Dept. of Transportation to replace signs
June 25, 2020
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced an obligation of more than $9.5 million to the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works to replace signs on 238 roads covering approximately 496 miles in the Aguadilla, Arecibo and San Juan regions. Some 890,000 residents comprising much of the northern and western region of the island […]
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Private consortium to take over PREPA’s T&D system in 15-year contract
June 23, 2020
The Puerto Rico Public Private Partnerships Authority announced that LUMA Energy, LLC — a consortium comprised by Canadian firm ATCO Ltd. (ATCO) and U.S.-based Fortune 500 firm Quanta Services Inc. — has been selected to operate, maintain and modernize the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s electricity transmission and distribution for 15 years. The announcement follows […]
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Gov. Vázquez announces $10.2B budget for Puerto Rico’s FY ’21
June 19, 2020
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez announced a proposed $10.2 billion budget for the Commonwealth’s General Fund for Fiscal Year 2021. In her State of the Commonwealth and Budget address, she also proposed a consolidated budget of $28.2 billion that includes funds generated by a number of public agencies for the fiscal year that begins July […]
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Vázquez OK’s new law to help Puerto Rico economy face effects of COVID-19
June 15, 2020
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez signed Ley 57-2020, known as the “Complementary Law to Address the Effects of the COVID-19 Emergency on the Puerto Rican Economy” — a second package of economic measures that are part of the government’s plan to reactivate the economy, support businesses and protect workers. On Sunday, she penned into law […]
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Puerto Rico gets $22.2M in HUD Emergency Solutions Grants for homeless assistance
June 12, 2020
Puerto Rico will receive more than $22.2M in U.S. Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grants targeted toward communities with high homeless populations or individuals at risk of becoming homeless. The assignment is part of a global allocation of $2.96 billion to also help individuals at risk of becoming homeless because of hardships such as […]
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FEMA earmarks $30M+ for 71 recovery projects in Puerto Rico
June 10, 2020
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience, or COR3, announced the allocation of more than $30.4 million in funds for 71 projects related to the recovery and reconstruction of Puerto Rico due to Hurricane María. These funds were obligated between May 29 and June 4, the federal and […]
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