By THE STAR STAFF
On Wednesday, Friends of Puerto Rico revealed that it has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).
This significant funding will facilitate the introduction of the RESPOND PR initiative, aimed at aiding small businesses and entrepreneurs in northwestern Puerto Rico. The EDA grant, paired with $150,000 in local support, will create a technical assistance initiative that offers education, training, and access to funding opportunities.
The RESPOND PR initiative will concentrate on promoting resilience, innovation, and economic development, especially in the underserved northwest segment of Puerto Rico, encompassing the municipalities of Las Marías and San Sebastián, via the Aguadilla Business Center.
“This grant is a vital support for small business owners and entrepreneurs,” stated Angelique Sina, the president of Friends of Puerto Rico. “It will not only assist in retaining and creating higher-paying jobs but will also provide the necessary tools and resources to ensure long-term sustainability and economic resilience.”
Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia remarked that the grant will enable small businesses in the northwest to “access the necessary resources to recover and continue contributing to the economic vitality of their communities and Puerto Rico.”
“The entrepreneurial sector is the foundation of our economy and has encountered significant hurdles following Hurricane Fiona and other incidents,” he added.
Resident Commissioner and Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón emphasized that the grant “will play a crucial role in assisting Friends of Puerto Rico in continuing to empower additional small businesses in Aguadilla and the surrounding region …”
