U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to announce funding for the island and to address the importance of the Economic Census, a five-year measure of American businesses and the economy.
He participated in an early February roundtable discussion hosted by CNE on working capital needed by SMEs, according to a Feb. 3 news release. The next day, he toured Lufthansa’s Technical Training and joined a roundtable discussion at the Aeronautical and Aerospace Institute of Puerto Rico.
“I am looking forward to fruitful and productive conversations with Puerto Rican leaders and announcing several important Commerce Department initiatives that will assist small businesses across the Commonwealth. Providing access to capital to small and mid-size businesses is critical toward job creation and economic growth,” Graves said in the release.
Manufacturing was on tap for Feb. 8 in a roundtable discussion at the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association, where the topic was on how the federal government can help with working capital, workforce training and other areas to help the manufacturing base access federal funding, according to the release. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to investing in Puerto Rico’s economic growth and ensuring it is inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
During a visit to San Juan last year, Graves announced his role as the administration’s Puerto Rico Economic Growth Coordinator, the release reported. He also announced the U.S. government’s intent to partner with the government of Puerto Rico. The Biden administration is dedicated to working with partners to support the island’s economic growth.
