U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $800,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds to Promote Professional Recruitment in San Juan, Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an $800,000 grant to ConPRmetidos, San Juan, Puerto Rico, to develop “El Comeback,” an innovative initiative designed to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen Puerto Rico’s professional network and opportunities. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will connect relocated Puerto Rican citizens with local, highly-skilled, good-paying job opportunities. This EDA grant will be matched with $200,000 in local funds and is expected to create 100 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This award will help recruit highly-skilled professionals for the private sector, which was impacted through recent outmigration, and promote economic resiliency in the region.”

“As Puerto Rico moves forward, we continue to attract and retain professionals who will contribute to our economic development and will keep making Puerto Rico a preferred location for working and doing business. Through these grants, non-profit organizations like ConPRmetidos get the tools they need to continue the efforts that create an immediate and positive impact on our communities,” said Governor Pedro Pierluisi. “We thank the Biden-Harris administration for their ongoing support to the Island’s recovery efforts.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.