---
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Carlos ‘Johnny’ Méndez, is seeking to facilitate the transfer of the former Baxter factory to the municipal administration of Culebra, which plans to create a warehouse area for products that travel to and from the Virgin Islands, as well as a large parking area to alleviate traffic congestion in the urban area of the island municipality.
“The Mayor of Culebra, Ediberto ‘Junito’ Romero, has a pressing need to obtain ownership of the old Baxter factory in order to promote a project to rebuild and develop a warehouse area that will allow Culebra to generate income by storing products that are then shipped to the Virgin Islands. This proposal would create a recurring source of income for the Municipality and has our full support; that is why we want the transfer to be completed without delay,” said the President of the Lower House.
To this end, last Friday, the legislative leader took to Culebra the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), Sebastián Negrón, the Executive Director of the Port Authority, Norberto Negrón, the Executive Director of the Public Buildings Authority, Félix Lasalle, and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, Edwin González.
Senator for District VIII (Carolina), Hector J. Sanchez, was also present.
The former Baxter pharmaceutical factory, which is located in the Playa Sandina sector, has been closed for about two decades. In September 2023, the Mayor signed an agreement with the Industrial Development Company, PRIDCO, attached to the DDEC, to lease the land for the purpose of developing it.
Méndez, Romero, the Senator and government officials toured the grounds of this factory to determine additional needs that can be incorporated into the development plan that the Municipality already has.
“I want to thank the President of the Chamber, friend ‘Johnny’ Méndez, who has always been attentive to the needs of our island municipality. For Culebra, the development of the land of the old Baxter factory is very important. The structure, once rehabilitated, will serve as a large warehouse area that will allow the Municipality to generate income. Likewise, we seek to create an area of new businesses and a parking area, since there is no longer space available in the traditional urban center. This dramatic lack of spaces is impacting economic activity, hence the urgency,” said.
