ABOUT THE RRPR PROMISE ZONE

ABOUT THE ROOSEVELT ROADS PUERTO RICO PROMISE ZONE

The Local Redevelopment Authority for Roosevelt Roads (LRA), along with its partners, including the municipalities of Ceiba, Naguabo and Fajardo, submitted an application for Promise Zone Designation on February 23, 2016. The proposed Promise Zone covers 200 square miles in the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico and is home to 77,340 inhabitants with an average household income of $19,722. The LRA promoted this initiative to achieve the designation of Promise Zone since it is aligned with the region’s strategic objectives; to create jobs and improve the quality of life for the residents of the region.

The Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico Promise Zone (RRPRPZ) is comprised of the Municipalities of Ceiba, Fajardo, and Naguabo and Roosevelt Roads, located in the Northeast corner of Puerto Rico. The area suffered a big financial loss when the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station closed in 2004. The three communities affected by this closure have joined forces with the Local Redevelopment Authority of Roosevelt (LRA). The LRA plans to not only improve community infrastructure but also to rejuvenate economic activity in the region, increase access to health care, improve educational opportunity, reduce violent crime, and jumpstart job creation. A key aspect for the revitalization of the region is the development of Roosevelt Roads, as envisioned in the Development Master Plan for Roosevelt Roads. The intention of the Authority is to act as a catalyst for the revitalization of the entire eastern region of Puerto Rico.

The designation of Ceiba, Naguabo, Fajardo and Roosevelt Roads as a" Promise Zone "by the USDA on June 6, 2016, gives the region an additional tool for economic development to promote job creation and economic growth. As an essential part of the Promise Zone initiative, local organizations are identified and are paired with federal agencies to help them "navigate" the broad scope of resources available from the federal agencies that participate in this program. In addition, any federal grant proposal issued by these local organizations, receive preferential score in the evaluation of federal grants.

Find a list of the Federal Agencies that participate in the Promise Zone initiative. Promise-Zones-2016-Federal-Resources.