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Promoting agricultural development as an engine of economic growth is an integral part of the public policy of this administration. As part of this effort, the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), Sebastián Negrón Reichard, announced the reconstruction of a 30,000 square foot building of the Agro Commercial Cooperative (CAC) in Ciales.
The total investment of the project amounts to $2,000,000, distributed in $1,400,000 for machinery and equipment, and $600,000 for the construction and conditioning of the facilities. This will generate the creation of 20 full-time jobs, with a projected payroll of about $500,000 annually.
Regarding this reconstruction, Governor Jenniffer González Colón highlighted that “agriculture is key to the economic development of our island and an essential part of our strategy to strengthen local production and generate more jobs. We will continue to support initiatives like this to grow our economy and benefit our farmers.”
For her part, Negrón Reichard mentioned that, “this initiative represents a key step to strengthen the local coffee industry and promote agrotourism in Ciales. The repair of this property, which was unused for more than 10 years, will boost job creation and promote economic development in the region. With this project, we reaffirm our commitment to be facilitators so that more initiatives like this are carried out in Puerto Rico.”
The restoration of the building will allow the installation of coffee roasting machinery and the creation of a market with 79 spaces for farmers, where visitors will be able to purchase fresh agricultural products. The space will also include a kiosk where the cooperative’s coffee will be served, giving customers an experience to learn about the production process.
“This project reaffirms our commitment to the agricultural and coffee industry. We want to create a space where high-quality coffee is produced, agrotourism is promoted and the economy of Ciales and the central area of Puerto Rico is strengthened,” said Moisés Reyes, executive president of the CAC.
“We are convinced that this new investment will have a multiplier effect on the economy and will contribute to the development of this region. And the best of all is that this project is born from a cooperative vision, which will benefit many citizens. We support initiatives that promote the reactivation of unused properties for the development of business activities that strengthen the self-sufficiency and innovation of the agricultural industry and other existing industries in the different regions of Puerto Rico,” concluded Negrón Reichard.
