FirstBank, FHLBNY back 10 women entrepreneurs in PR
FirstBank Puerto Rico, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, has awarded $50,000 in grants to 10 women entrepreneurs from the island’s western region to help strengthen their small businesses and expand their community impact.
The financial support was provided through the 2025 Small Business Recovery Grant Program. Each participant in the Business Training Program at the Centro Empresarial para la Mujer del Centro para Puerto Rico Sila M. Calderón in Mayagüez received $5,000 to invest in equipment, inventory or business growth initiatives.
The recipients are Ashley M. Ruiz-Rosas of Surrounded By Beauty; Einy J. Romero-Cruz of Einy Home Décor; Jealine Rivera-Montalvo of Hipster Lover; Madelyn Medina-Lloréns of Gïataï Accesorios y Algo Más; and María de los A. Martínez-Rivera of Pelua Salón by Ángeles.
Other recipients include Mariela de Jesús-Encarnación of MDJ Atelier Boutique; Milagros Santana-Mariot of Milly Mariot Art; Omayra Bourdón-Márquez of Omayra’s Sweet Creations; Suleika Acosta-Santiago of SU Crafting and Décor; and Vanessa Rivera-Collazo of Vane’s Sweet World.
“This alliance with the FHLBNY reinforces our commitment to accompany small businesses in all stages of their development,” said Ildefonso Rodríguez, FirstBank’s vice president of small businesses and SBA.
“At FirstBank, we believe in the transformative power of entrepreneurship and the importance of providing real tools to help more Puerto Ricans grow, create jobs and contribute to the island’s economic development,” he said.
To extend its support, FirstBank created a business account with benefits for participants in nonprofit entrepreneurship programs. The account allows an initial deposit and minimum balance of $50 and waives service fees for the first 12 months.
