FEMA approves new recovery and mitigation funds for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
The Governor’s office reported $753,617.84 in FEMA obligations for infrastructure, public facilities, safety and risk mitigation tied to Hurricanes María and Fiona. El Nuevo Día also cited $564,900 from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the Mariana Flood Control Project. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Albizu University wins nearly $6 million in federal grants — a NAPREC perspective
Albizu University received two five-year federal awards totaling $5.95 million: $2.85 million through the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program for an artificial intelligence teaching and support project starting at its Miami campus, and $3.1 million for clinical psychology doctoral scholarships and training. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill would shield local aid from the 2027 Social Security increase — a NAPREC perspective
Representative Jerry Nieves Rosario filed House Bill 1511 so that the 3.6 percent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment due in January 2027 does not cause beneficiaries to lose assistance funded entirely by Puerto Rico’s government. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill seeks full Medicare drug subsidies for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández introduced legislation to extend full access to the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy to Puerto Rico and the other territories, with support from Guam Delegate James Moylan and Rep. Darren Soto, El Nuevo Día reported. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Health Secretary: a Medicaid solution is needed before October 2027 — a NAPREC perspective
Health Secretary Víctor Ramos told the Puerto Rico Senate Government Committee that the strategy is to obtain a legislative solution from Congress before October 1, 2027, when federal Medicaid funding would fall from about $4.2 billion a year to about $500 million. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Grand Caribbean Marinas details $50 million rebuilding effort — a NAPREC perspective
Grand Caribbean Marinas estimates it has invested about $50 million since hurricanes Irma and María in 2017 to rebuild and upgrade its six Puerto Rico marinas, most of them around Fajardo, including projects still underway. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Senators propose emergency funds to offset the electric rate increase — a NAPREC perspective
Popular Democratic Party senators filed three measures, including Senate Joint Resolution 229, to transfer $131.6 million from Puerto Rico’s Emergency Reserve Fund to the Electric Power Authority and offset the fuel-cost increase in electric bills for October through December. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Jones Act waiver brought record energy shipments — a NAPREC perspective
A Reason Foundation analysis found that Puerto Rico received about 10.5 million barrels of energy products from the U.S. mainland in the first 208 days of the Jones Act waiver that took effect March 17, more than the previous annual record. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Convention district becomes Harbor District, with $24 million in projects — a NAPREC perspective
The Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority introduced Harbor District as a new brand for its properties and announced a proposed $4 million public park and a $20 million sports complex in San Juan. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Polaris advances $60 million battery project at Punta Lima wind farm — a NAPREC perspective
Polaris Renewable Energy signed an equipment contract for a planned $55 million to $60 million battery storage project at its Punta Lima wind farm in Naguabo, with commercial operation expected in the third quarter of 2027. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Hotel and short-term rental revenue tops $1.6 billion through September — a NAPREC perspective
Puerto Rico’s hotels and short-term rentals generated more than $1.6 billion in revenue in the first nine months of 2026, up 6% from a year earlier, according to Discover Puerto Rico. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
FEMA approves nearly $82 million, including a hospital microgrid — a NAPREC perspective
FEMA approved nearly $82 million for Puerto Rico: more than $75.6 million in Public Assistance and more than $6.2 million from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico’s petition puts statehood before Congress and the White House — a NAPREC perspective
Spectrum News reported that the joint resolution signed by Governor Jenniffer González-Colón asks Congress and President Donald Trump to make Puerto Rico the 51st state. The Puerto Rico Statehood Council called it the first such petition from the island’s legislature. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Report finds shopping centers steady as retail growth slows — a NAPREC perspective
A Caribbean Real Estate Services report found that Puerto Rico’s shopping centers remain productive despite the loss of about 600,000 residents since 2000, with Plaza Las Américas ranking first in a sales comparison. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Toyota plans $55 million expansion of Toa Baja distribution center — a NAPREC perspective
Toyota de Puerto Rico plans to invest more than $55 million to expand and modernize its vehicle and parts distribution center in Toa Baja, which processes more than 35,000 new vehicles a year. Completion is projected for 2031. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Senate bill proposes a 12 percent tax rate to retain doctors — a NAPREC perspective
Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz filed Senate Bill 1570 to reopen the physician incentive under the Incentives Code, with a 12 percent rate on eligible medical income for 15 years, on the condition that participating doctors treat patients of the Vital government health plan. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Business groups warn 12,000 small firms are at risk from energy costs — a NAPREC perspective
The United Retailers Association (CUD) estimated that more than 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses could close, putting about 70,000 jobs at risk, if high electricity costs and unreliable service continue without relief. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Report finds solar systems need more maintenance in Puerto Rico’s climate — a NAPREC perspective
HelioVolta’s 2026 SolarGrade PV Health Report found that 87% of solar projects inspected in Puerto Rico and the U.S. needed urgent corrective action and 8% had critical issues requiring immediate shutdown. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Senate bill seeks to keep Puerto Rico’s Opportunity Zone map for local incentives — a NAPREC perspective
Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz filed Senate Bill 1514 to preserve, for local tax purposes, the Opportunity Zone designations in a July 9, 2018 U.S. Treasury notice, which cover about 98 percent of Puerto Rico, after federal law limited future designations. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
A legislator defends the new statehood petition — a NAPREC perspective
Representative José Aponte of the New Progressive Party told Metro Puerto Rico that Joint Resolution 66-2026 differs from earlier measures because it asks Congress directly for admission instead of reporting plebiscite results. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.