Puerto Rico gets $100M in FEMA recovery funds
The government of Puerto Rico announced the approval of more than $100 million in new federal appropriations to support recovery and reconstruction efforts across the island, where thousands of reconstruction projects remain pending.
The money, approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Stafford Act, will be directed toward repairing infrastructure damaged by natural disasters including Hurricane Maria in 2017, the 2020 earthquakes in the southwestern part of the island, Hurricane Fiona in 2022 and Storm Ernesto in 2024.
Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández-Rivera said in their respective announcements that the funds will reach municipalities, public agencies, universities, religious institutions and energy projects. Officials said the goal is to accelerate Puerto Rico’s long-delayed recovery and strengthen infrastructure to withstand future storms.
“These allocations are the product of constant work, direct efforts and a commitment to Puerto Rico receiving the resources it deserves,” González-Colón said. “These funds will allow us to continue with the reconstruction of the island, with projects that impact the lives of our people in municipalities, universities, religious entities and government agencies.”
Municipal projects
Several hard-hit towns in Puerto Rico’s central and southern regions are among the recipients. In Maricao, $2.6 million will repair sections of the Achiotillo highway near PR-120, damaged during Hurricane Maria. Jayuya will receive $6.3 million for the PR-528 highway and a box culvert in the Zamas sector, also tied to Maria.
Orocovis will receive a combined $16 million for a series of road projects: nearly $1.5 million for municipal roads damaged by Maria, $12 million to rebuild multiple roads throughout the town, $1.4 million to restore access in the Gato sector, and more than $1.1 million for rural roads washed out by 2024 storms and floods.
“These allocations are part of Puerto Rico’s ongoing recovery process,” Hernández-Rivera said. “I will continue to fight in Washington so that Puerto Rico receives the federal funds it needs and deserves.”
Other municipalities will also benefit. Comerío will use more than $1 million to repair the El Salto dam, built in 1913 and damaged by Maria. Juncos will receive $1.6 million for parks and recreational facilities. San Germán, hit by Hurricane Fiona in 2022, will receive $1.3 million for rural road repairs. Adjuntas will get nearly $1.5 million for roads damaged in 2024 floods, plus about $2.8 million for Yahuecas neighborhood roadwork. Ponce will obtain nearly $4.4 million for repairs to the Enrique A. Vicéns recreational and cultural facilities, which were damaged in the 2020 earthquakes.
Government, energy
Several agencies will receive large allocations. The Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration will receive $15.5 million for permanent work at five rehabilitation centers in Arecibo, Bayamón, Caguas, Ponce and San Juan.
The Puerto Rico Retirement System will receive $17.2 million to repair its main building and equipment in San Juan, damaged by Maria. The Public Housing Administration will obtain $9.9 million for permanent repair projects tied to the same storm.
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority will receive several allocations, including $4.4 million for repairs at the Central Costa Sur power plant damaged in the 2020 earthquakes; nearly $3.3 million for emergency restoration after Fiona; close to $1.2 million to cover employee food and transportation between May and June 2023; and $2.9 million for similar expenses between November 2022 and April 2023 during the emergency response after Fiona.
The Central Office of Recovery and Reconstruction will receive $4.3 million to cover state management costs linked to 2024 disasters. The Puerto Rico Police Bureau will obtain nearly $1.3 million for emergency measures taken during Storm Ernesto in 2024.
Universities, religious institutions
Academic and religious organizations were also included. The Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico’s Ponce campus will receive nearly $2.1 million to repair buildings damaged by Maria, ensuring continuity of academic services for thousands of students.
The Diocese of Ponce’s Immaculate Conception Parish will receive more than $1.4 million for emergency measures carried out after the 2020 earthquakes, which damaged several religious and cultural heritage sites.
González-Colón said her administration’s priority is not only to secure federal funding but to guarantee proper oversight.
“Every federal dollar we get will be transformed into roads, schools, dams, recreational facilities, health centers and more resilient infrastructure for the future,” she said. “Our commitment is clear: that the funds arrive, are invested correctly and become works that raise the quality of life of our island.”
