ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

On behalf of the Southern Puerto Rico Economic Development District (SPREDD), I would like to recognize the public and private partners that dedicated their time to craft the 2021 SPREDD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (SPREDD CEDS). The SPREDD region is home to public and private sector leaders, institutions of higher learning, solopreneurs, small start-ups and thriving, large multi-national business. From the beginning of the planning process in early 2020, and despite the interruptions brought about by the earthquakes, coupled with the challenges of COVID-19, we still managed to effectively collaborate on the development of the SPREDD CEDS. Development of the SPREDD CEDS was a collaborative effort that strengthened existing partnerships while developing new relationships that will help drive implementation to create the first-ever Economic Development District to Puerto Rico to strengthen and revitalize a region that has tremendous potential, but is also burdened with significant challenges while enduring significant setbacks. We are proud to say that over 50 stakeholders from the municipalities of Guánica, Guayanilla, Juana Díaz, Peñuelas, Ponce, and Yauco participated in the creation of this plan and because of that, the SPREDD CEDS is truly YOUR PLAN.

SPREDD would like to express our gratitude to Sofia Martinez-Alvarez, Executive Director of Titín Foundation, for leading the Strategic Leadership Team which has taking an idea and facilitated its implementation. And to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), for their ongoing support and funding. Specifically, we would like to thank the Philadelphia Regional EDA office, Linda Cruz-Carnall, Regional Administrator, Mathew Suchodolski, Economic Development Integrator, and Juan Bauzá, Economic Development Representative (PR & USVI), for their invaluable guidance and counsel.

We welcome and appreciate the insight, expertise and assistance of all those who helped in the crafting of this document, and look forward to working collaboratively on the key projects and actions to accomplish the goals and objectives set forth herein to create a more resilient region for the six municipalities that have come together to form Puerto Rico’s inaugural EDD.

SPREDD would like to express our gratitude to Sofia Martinez-Alvarez, Executive Director of Titín Foundation, for leading the Strategic Leadership Team which has taking an idea and facilitated its implementation. And to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), for their ongoing support and funding. Specifically, we would like to thank the Philadelphia Regional EDA office, Linda Cruz-Carnall, Regional Administrator, Mathew Suchodolski, Economic Development Integrator, and Juan Bauzá, Economic Development Representative (PR & USVI), for their invaluable guidance and counsel.

We welcome and appreciate the insight, expertise and assistance of all those who helped in the crafting of this document, and look forward to working collaboratively on the key projects and actions to accomplish the goals and objectives set forth herein to create a more resilient region for the six municipalities that have come together to form Puerto Rico’s inaugural EDD.