New York State and Puerto Rico Economic Opportunity Advisory Council Will Explore, Propose, and Help Implement Policies to Strengthen New York and Puerto Rican Economies
Council’s Priorities Will Include First-in-the-Nation Life Science Exchange to Advance Research and Innovation, Partnership With New York’s ConnectALL Broadband Office and Puerto Rico’s Smart Island Initiative, and Efforts to Strengthen Healthcare Programs
Governor Kathy Hochul and Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi today launched the New York State and Puerto Rico Economic Opportunity Advisory Council, a group of administration officials appointed by Governor Hochul and Governor Pierluisi, to strengthen ties between New York and Puerto Rico and advance shared economic priorities. The council will explore, propose, and help implement policies to strengthen the New York and Puerto Rican economies.
As part of the announcement, Governor Hochul and Governor Pierluisi also unveiled three new economic development partnerships between New York State and Puerto Rico that will serve as the Council’s first priorities, which will seek to support the growing life sciences sector, collaborate in efforts to bridge the digital divide, and join forces on healthcare programs and policies to improve the lives of New Yorkers and Puerto Ricans. Each sector offers opportunities for New York and Puerto Rico to leverage state, territory, and federal investments and strengthen economic and social ties between Puerto Rico and New York, which has one of the largest populations of Puerto Rican residents outside of Puerto Rico.
“This new advisory council marks the start of an exciting new chapter in New York’s unwavering partnership with Governor Pierluisi and the island of Puerto Rico,” Governor Hochul said. “With this group of talented public servants at the helm, the New York State and Puerto Rico Economic Opportunity Advisory Council will help us double down on our commitments to building modern, 21st century economies, starting by boosting our life sciences sectors, eliminating barriers to broadband access, and strengthening our healthcare systems.”
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said, “Puerto Rico and New York have strong ties and shared goals, which is why this partnership will surely benefit both of our communities by promoting and growing important sectors of our economies. Collaborating in health and research initiatives, and in the democratization of access to technology is another key step to our sustainable economic development aspirations. I thank Governor Hochul for the continuous support and look forward to expanding our work together.”
The New York State and Puerto Rico Economic Opportunity Advisory Council will be co-chaired by New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez and Puerto Rico Secretary of State Omar J. Marrero and comprised of representatives from New York and Puerto Rico government agencies with subject matter expertise in trade and tourism, economic development, emergency response and recovery, tech, healthcare, workforce development, and other fields. The Council will meet on a quarterly basis and deliver recommendations to both Governors to identify opportunities to collaborate between jurisdictions.
New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “With over one million Puerto Ricans living in New York State, we share a common bond of culture, tourism, family and strength. And those ties that bind us can never be broken which is why expanding economic opportunities is mutually beneficial. I’m proud to be leading an effort that will promote shared economic and public policy initiatives and I thank Governor Hochul for her trust in me and for her unwavering commitment to Puerto Rico.”
Puerto Rico Secretary of State Omar Marrero said, “Working together with our New York partners will enrich our continued efforts to grow our economy. New York and Puerto Rico share challenges and areas of opportunities where we can collaborate and build up on our respective strengths, and Governor Pierluisi is committed to make this partnership thrive for the benefit of all Puerto Ricans, on the Island and in New York.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York State is a hub of life science industry innovation, and we also have a lot of experience in working to make broadband accessible to everyone. Through new partnerships with the IndieBio biotech accelerator and our ConnectALL office, these new initiatives will broaden the pathways to economic growth both in Puerto Rico and New York and we look forward to seeing the success that lies ahead.”
Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust CEO Lucy Crespo said, “We are highly honored that the P. R. Science, Technology, and Research Trust has been selected as the Puerto Rico host for this first New York-Puerto Rico Life Science Exchange to support the growth of the life science industry in Puerto Rico and New York. This alliance with New York and SOSV’s IndieBio NY, a biotech startup development program in New York City, will allow us to strengthen our commitment to advance life sciences research and innovation life sciences entrepreneurship. It also allows us to continue our mission of investing, facilitating, and developing the capabilities necessary to continuously advance Puerto Rico's economy and the well-being of its citizens through innovation-based businesses, science, technology, research, and public health, with the vision that Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub. We are very proud and ready to start this important and ambitious project.”
New York-Puerto Rico Life Science Exchange
Governor Hochul and Governor Pierluisi announced that, as part of the Council’s work, New York and Puerto Rico will launch the first-ever New York-Puerto Rico Life Science Exchange to support the growth of the life science industry in both jurisdictions. The New York-Puerto Rico Life Science Exchange will be hosted by SOSV’s IndieBio NY, a biotech startup development program in New York City, connecting New York and Puerto Rico in their commitment to advance life sciences research and innovation. This initiative builds off the recent designation of PRBio Tech Hub, a component of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, as one of 31 newly designated federal Tech Hubs announced last week by President Biden and Secretary Raimondo as part of the CHIPS and Science Act.
The life science sector encompasses the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical technologies, life systems technologies, and includes organizations and institutions that devote the majority of their efforts to the various stages of research, development, technology transfer and commercialization. New York State is continuing to drive its transformative Life Science Initiative, designed to spur the growth of a world-class life science research cluster in New York, as well as expand the state's ability to commercialize this research and grow the economy.
In turn, Puerto Rico has established itself as a prominent bioscience hub, earning the reputation of being the “Medicine Cabinet of the USA” and leads the nation as a biosciences manufacturing hub. With a rich history and expertise in the industry, the island offers a foundation for innovation and growth.
New York-Puerto Rico Broadband Partnership
Governor Hochul and Governor Pierluisi announced that the Council would help to support a new collaboration by leveraging the skills and expertise of New York’s ConnectALL broadband initiative and build on the ambitious Puerto Rico Smart Island Initiative. ConnectALL and Smart Island Initiative will exchange best practices including exchanging ideas and procedures and facilitating connections between Puerto Rico’s broadband program and New York State partners and digital equity stakeholders.
Puerto Rico’s Smart Island Initiative involves deploying high-speed internet throughout the Island over a period of 5 years. With an allocation of more than $900 million in both state and federal funds, Puerto Rico is focused on the four main pillars of this initiative: connectivity, quality, accessibility and knowledge.
Strengthening Healthcare
Governor Hochul and Governor Pierluisi also announced an effort to strengthen healthcare through the New York State and Puerto Rico Departments of Health and supported through the work of the Council, which will collaborate on programs and policies to improve the lives of New Yorkers and Puerto Ricans.