Puerto Rico’s small businesses need a clear path from opportunity to growth
Anthony Carrillo, Esq.
NAPREC Founder and Chairman
Issue commentary · Small business · September 15, 2026
An equality agenda should make room for the entrepreneur opening a first business, the established employer seeking financing, and the local supplier trying to compete for a contract. Opportunity means little when the practical route to assistance is difficult to understand.
The Small Business Administration’s Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands District lists support for funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. It also connects businesses with partner organizations and lenders. These services offer a starting point; they are not a promise of financing, certification, or a government contract.
Before pursuing a program, a business owner should identify the immediate goal and ask the responsible office what eligibility, documentation, and costs apply. A financing decision should be evaluated on its actual terms. A contracting opportunity requires attention to the solicitation and the ability to deliver the work.
NAPREC should press for accessible information, fair opportunities to compete, and clear reporting on who benefits from economic-development initiatives. Support should help businesses build durable capacity rather than depend on a single announcement or short-term initiative.
Public policy can be assessed through concrete questions: are entrepreneurs reaching qualified advisers, understanding available options, and receiving timely decisions? Are local firms gaining the tools to serve larger markets? A stronger small-business community is one way equal opportunity becomes visible in everyday life.
Source and further reading: Official agency resource. Resource checked September 15, 2026.