New York – Personnel from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Housing (HUD) and Commerce (DOC) met this Monday with authorities in municipalities in southern Puerto Rico to discuss the impact of three initiatives financed with federal funds that seek reinforce post-hurricane and earthquake reconstruction processes in the area.
Representing USDA were personnel from the Rural Development (RD) division, responsible for providing loans and grants for the construction of critical infrastructure in rural areas.
“This is a large gathering of economic development initiatives that promotes collaboration between federal agencies, local government and communities. The three entities reflect a comprehensive partnership approach to economic development: rebuilding the housing stock, improving rural infrastructure, and promoting economic growth. All of these three elements, with the input and participation of the community, are essential for sustainable economic development in rural areas of Puerto Rico and for economic growth,” stated the state director of the DR in Puerto Rico, Maximiliano J. Trujillo. Ortega, through a statement sent to El Diario.
Also participating in the event in Ponce that brought together the Rural Partners Network (RPN) was the Undersecretary of the federal Department of Commerce, Don Graves, who is also the Economic Growth Coordinator for Puerto Rico since April 2022, and leads the efforts of the “Economic Dialogue” initiative.
Economic Dialogue is a project that brings together leaders and officials both at the federal level and on the island to discuss measures and strategies that help boost the economic growth of the territory.
The focus of the group’s conversations, which formally began in December of that year, are workforce development; infrastructure, energy and resilience; economic diversification, and improving governance and data.
On his account on the social network X (formerly Twitter), Graves shared images of the meeting in the municipality while highlighting that the mobilization is part of the Economic Dialogue.
Meeting with leaders in Puerto Rico to share successes from the Economic Dialogue and reinforce @POTUS commitment to help accelerate the island’s reconstruction.
I also received a briefing on their vision for the southern region and the current state of work opportunities. pic.twitter.com/LMiryWPnBa
— Deputy Secretary Don Graves (@DepSecGraves) February 27, 2024
“I also received an input of his vision for the southern region and the current state of job opportunities,” Graves mentioned of his meetings with officials on the island that included mayors.
In this sense, Trujillo-Ortega reported that, in the exchange, the three key initiatives in which the agencies collaborate were discussed: SPREDD, CONSUR and RPN.
RD provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. The funds can be used for housing; business development; improvements in public infrastructure such as schools; and high-speed internet, among other purposes.
Federal authorities did not provide specific data on the works that have been completed as part of these efforts.
RPN Expansion to Puerto Rico
A fact sheet released by the White House this Monday indicates that, in November 2022, USDA announced the expansion of RPN to Puerto Rico.
“Only 10 states and Puerto Rico benefit from this government-wide program to help rural communities access federal resources to create jobs, build infrastructure, and support local economic development projects,” the Biden Administration shared. Harris.
RPN on the island includes 16 communities: Mayagüez, Maricao, Guánica, Utuado, Jayuya, Ciales, Orocovis, Villalba, Ponce, Adjuntas, Barranquitas, Coamo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Naguabo, and the El Yunque National Forest.
“These communities are receiving permanent, full-time federal personnel to help address the challenges of rebuilding deteriorated infrastructure to improve housing conditions and provide services for a growing elderly population,” the document highlights.
The other two programs that involve agencies, in addition to RPN
- “Southern Puerto Rico Economic Development District” or SPREDD
SPREDD is the first regional Economic Development District (EDD) on the island and was designated by the DOC’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The designation seeks to create partnerships between federal and local authorities to support entrepreneurs in the agricultural, hospitality and health care industries, and mobilize resources in that direction.
2. “The Southern Consortium for the Management and Administration of Federal Funds for Earthquake Damage” (CONSUR)
Under this initiative, led by the Department of Housing, six mayors of southern towns affected by the 2020 earthquakes signed agreements for the use of $36.4 million in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant Program) funds for long-term recovery.
This money is administered by the federal agency and requires an “Action Plan” for municipalities to receive assistance from CONSUR (The Southern Consortium for the Management and Administration of Federal Funds for Earthquake Damage).
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