USDA Kickoff Meeting for the Promise Zone in Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico was held in September 16, 2016.
The Promise Zone is a presidential initiative launched in 2014 to help hardworking communities succeed. The primary goals of this initiative is to develop job training for the 21st century industries, improve educational opportunities, increase access to safe affordable housing and promote community safety. The initiative is designed for a term of 10 years, but may be extended if necessary. So far the White House, USDA and HUD have designated as Promise Zone some counties of 19 states and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.
This Promise Zone in Eastern Puerto Rico is formed by three towns that are within the premises of the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station Base; these are Ceiba, Fajardo and Naguabo. The area suffered a big financial and population loss when the Naval Base ceased operations and left in 2004. The communities affected joined forces to form the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) of Roosevelt Roads and proposed a plan to develop the area, it was accepted and designated as the Promise Zone. Their goals is not only improve community infrastructure but also renovate economic activity, increase access to health care, improve educational opportunity, reduce crime and jumpstart jobs creation.
During this activity, the plans and goals for the Roosevelt Roads facilities were discussed with stakeholders and personnel from USDA National Office who were also present at the activity: Sam Rikkers, Co-Chair of the Promise Zone Steering Committee and also Administrator of Rural Business Cooperative Services for USDA Rural Development, Fred Pfaeffle, Representative of the Puerto Rico White House Task Force and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Cooperative Service for USDA Rural Development and myself explained to all presents the importance to be designated as Promise Zone.
USDA Rural Development, Department of Commerce, Small Business Administration, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Corporation for National Community Service and the Local Redevelopment Authority for Roosevelt Roads provided Program Snapshots and explained how they can help develop the Promise Zone. The intention is to marshal the necessary resources for these communities and cut through the bureaucratic tape. Later in this activity we had case studies, collaborative outreaches and goal setting meetings for Agricultural and Healthy Foods, Economic Development and Education.
We are very grateful to President Obama for the designation of a Promise Zone Initiative for Puerto Rico, thus helping the rural growth in the Eastern side of the island on its worst economic crisis in our history. We have higher expectations for the Community Economic Development on this area and hope we can later replicate it to other Areas within Puerto Rico.