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Puerto Rico Renewable Energy Cluster Development Receives U.S. EDA Support

September 3, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $400,000 grant to the Puerto Rico Planning Board and the Puerto Rico Energy Affairs Administration to develop a renewable energy cluster roadmap and strategic plan that would help advance the island's renewable energy sector.

"Encouraging innovation and bringing new technologies to the marketplace are critical to creating jobs and improving our nation's economic competitiveness," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA investment will help accelerate innovation to advance regional competitiveness, generate private sector investment, and boost a specific industry cluster to ultimately help create higher-skill, living-wage jobs for Puerto Rico."

"The renewable energy cluster roadmap and strategic plan will identify and analyze the island's assets, workforce development needs and global market drivers for each of the targeted renewable energy sectors," said Roberto Gonzalez, Executive Director, Puerto Rico Planning Board. "The strategy is designed to provide the maximum synergy among government, academic and the private sector to develop a new, viable, renewable energy cluster in the Commonwealth."

The project is funded through EDA's Global Climate Mitigation Incentive Fund (GCCMIF), which is intended to foster the green economy by promoting economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. The investment's goal is to advance the high growth alternative energy industry.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov): This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.