AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rico Water Crisis: PRASA began 48-hour water shutoffs for about 180,000 customers as drought worsened, hitting San Juan metro sectors and forcing businesses to adapt fast. Small-Business Impact: Laundromats in the metro area are operating at limited capacity, cutting machine use and spending thousands on water tanks to stay open. Tourism & Housing Demand: A Condado furnished-apartment building opened winter/spring availability for 30-day to 12-month stays, targeting relocating professionals with backup power and water cisterns. Entrepreneurship Push: Boricua Emprende Fest returns Sept. 4 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center with 2,000+ entrepreneurs, 30+ sessions, and new resources tied to access to capital and incentives. Agriculture Finance: The Department of Agriculture says it owes farmers about $10M after frozen coffee prices created losses, with payments expected to move next week. Climate Litigation: Oil companies asked the 1st U.S. Court of Appeals to dismiss a Puerto Rico climate case from Bayamón municipalities over missed deadlines. Food & Compliance: A Clean Water Act indictment was unsealed against a Naguabo slaughterhouse and employees over alleged pollutant discharges without permits.

Water Crisis & Local Business Impact: Puerto Rico is moving into more days of rationed water as drought deepens, with reports of up to 48-hour cut-offs for San Juan and surrounding areas and Lago Carraízo nearly dried up—raising pressure on households and operations. Public Policy & Relief Funding: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is allocating $2 million for an aid program aimed at businesses hit by water interruptions, while local incentives for small businesses tied to disruption are also being raised. Regulatory & Environmental Accountability: U.S. prosecutors unsealed Clean Water Act charges against a Naguabo slaughterhouse operator and employees, alleging illegal wastewater discharges into waters flowing to the ocean and a public beach. Economic Development & Startups: U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Todd Young introduced the Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026, extending the EDA program through 2030; it has supported projects across all states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Tech for Professional Services: Fajardo-based TaxPulse launched an all-in-one tax and business operating system with AI assistance and in-platform training for tax preparers. Municipal Partnerships: Santo Domingo and Aguadilla signed a twinning agreement to expand cooperation across trade, tourism, education, culture, and municipal governance.

Water Crisis Watch: Puerto Rico’s Planning Board will quantify the drought’s economic hit across sectors, using questionnaires to estimate losses, lost revenue, added costs, job impacts, and mitigation needs—aimed at supporting assistance and recovery decisions. Consumer Protection: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) warned restaurants and other businesses against charging a “water fee” or suggesting water-service charges tied to cistern-filling during rationing, saying the practice is illegal and could bring fines up to $10,000 per violation. Business Continuity: The Home Depot said CEO Ted Decker is taking a temporary medical leave, with Ann-Marie Campbell overseeing day-to-day operations and CFO Richard McPhail handling financial management for Puerto Rico and other markets. Aviation & Connectivity: New nonstop and added routes are set to expand travel options from Southwest Florida airports, including service to Puerto Rico, as airlines adjust schedules for late 2026. Local Economy & Water Demand: Reporting highlights how drought-driven water rationing is reshaping household and business operations, with knock-on effects for costs and planning.

Water Crisis & Business Support: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven water rationing is hitting households and operations hard, with FEMA water trailers arriving and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company allocating $2M to help businesses affected by interruptions; regulators are also warning restaurants against charging “water fees,” while the government raises small-business incentives to $10,000. Agriculture & Costs: Farmers report forage shortages and sharply higher feed prices, with hay imports from the U.S. coming at “exorbitant” costs as production drops and exports stall. Energy & Connectivity: A new GSMA report says 5G is set to reach 23% of Caribbean mobile connections by 2030, with Puerto Rico among the biggest markets—if regulatory updates and spectrum access keep pace. Corporate Moves: B&G Foods appoints Robert “Rob” D. Mills as president and CEO as it reshapes its portfolio; Muuaaa Design Agency names Erika Van O’ordt to lead growth. Maritime Tech: Optimal Transit unveiled a 100 MW Kraaken™ configuration that can supply baseload electricity and fresh water to shore while still supporting AI/data center operations.

Water Crisis Support: Puerto Rico Tourism Company earmarked $2 million for the “Mano Amiga” incentive plan, offering up to $10,000 to tourism businesses hit by scheduled water service interruptions. Small-Business Relief: The Department of Economic Development and Commerce raised its “Economic Recovery” incentive cap from $5,000 to $10,000 and expanded eligibility, cutting paperwork and boosting maximum payouts for qualifying firms affected since June 1. Bottled Water Demand: Supermarkets report bottled water sales jumping 80% to 90% in affected areas, with delivery delays as demand strains distribution. Cost of Living Pressure: Despite multiple minimum wage hikes, analysts say the current floor still doesn’t cover living costs, with housing alone consuming far more than recommended budgets. Labor Market Reality Check: A new commentary revisits how unemployment counts can miss people who stop looking for work—an issue that still shapes policy debates. Tourism Investment Watch: New research pegs Puerto Rico’s active hotel and branded residential pipeline at $3.57 billion, even as passenger traffic softens. Powerball Buzz: The jackpot climbed to $975 million after no Monday winner, with Puerto Rico among jurisdictions playing the game.

Water Crisis Response: FEMA says it will provide water trailers to Puerto Rico for up to 30 days as drought forces rotating 48-hour shutoffs affecting more than 180,000 households, with the governor coordinating an interagency plan with municipalities. Infrastructure Funding: Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced FEMA obligated more than $513 million for nine recovery and reconstruction projects, including over $509 million for permanent repairs to the Guajataca Dam. Business Compliance: Puerto Rico’s DACO warned restaurants they can’t charge a separate “water fee” or related charges during the emergency, citing an order freezing prices on essential water-related goods and services. Hotel Investment Watch: New research pegs Puerto Rico’s active hotel and branded residential pipeline at $3.57 billion in disclosed investment, arriving as passenger traffic softens and raises questions about how fast the pipeline will convert. Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy renewed emergency orders to keep PREPA dispatching critical generation and continue vegetation management to reduce outages. Legal/Competition: AG Ford announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price inflation and reduced competition. Maritime Policy: A Jones Act waiver extension for 90 days drew mixed reactions as shipbuilding groups warn exemptions could weaken the domestic maritime base. Local Economy Lens: A market-focused piece contrasts Wall Street’s strength with Puerto Rico’s decelerating growth and water-crisis costs hitting households and businesses. Tourism/Events: Bad Bunny is reportedly considering two (possibly three) end-of-August concerts at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, pending official confirmation. Governance & Federal Budget: The U.S. Senate approved a continuing resolution extending federal funding through Dec. 11, a move Puerto Rico officials say helps maintain program continuity.

Water Crisis Watch: Puerto Rico is moving into rotating 48-hour water shutoffs as drought strains the island’s aging system, with more than 180,000 households affected across San Juan and nearby municipalities; Gov. Jenniffer González says an interagency plan is coordinating water trucks and municipal support, while the utility reports massive losses from leaks and unbilled water. Local Business Impact: With taps cut on a “two days on, two days off” schedule, residents and shops are rushing to stock up, and some laundromats report order backlogs and growing worries about paying bills. Water Risk & Capital Markets: A new virtual forum by Marshall & Stevens will tackle how water scarcity is reshaping agriculture, infrastructure, investment, energy, and asset values, using Puerto Rico as a real-world stress test for water resilience.

Power Contract Scrutiny: Puerto Rico’s federally appointed financial regulator is weighing whether to revoke a 400-megawatt emergency power deal after a purported bidder said its name and signature were used without authorization, raising procurement-integrity questions for a contract valued up to $5.9B over 10 years. Water Crisis Fallout: Puerto Rico has begun rotating 48-hour water shutoffs for about 180,000 customers as drought worsens, with reports that hundreds of thousands are waking up without running water and the utility loses roughly 60% of supply to leaks. Energy & Grid Financing: The U.S. Department of Energy has closed a major loan tied to Puerto Rico’s grid, while separate coverage flags shifting federal support for solar amid reliability concerns. Local Business Support: Amid the drought emergency, Puerto Rico’s development efforts are pushing small businesses to apply for relief, as companies and households face operational disruptions. Tourism & Regional Context: Separate regional reporting highlights the Dominican Republic’s record tourism run, a reminder of how Caribbean demand can swing when infrastructure and climate pressures hit.

Water Crisis: Puerto Rico is starting 48-hour rotating water shutoffs affecting about 500,000 people across San Juan and nearby municipalities as the Carraízo reservoir drops into “operational adjustments,” with drought conditions worsening and residents scrambling for storage and tanker deliveries. Utility Performance: Reporting highlights PRASA’s chronic losses—around 60% of treated water lost before reaching customers—turning drought into a full-blown service emergency. Emergency Support: A South Florida company, Altitude Water, is sending air-to-water machines (up to 380 gallons) to help during rationing, while local distributors have ordered nearly 100 units. Power Contract Scrutiny: Puerto Rico’s financial oversight regulator says it may revoke a 400-megawatt emergency power contract after a purported partner’s name and signature were used without authorization, with possible referral to authorities and a replacement company mentioned. Local Business & Finance: Hecho en Puerto Rico and the Economic Development Bank are partnering to expand financing for local businesses, aiming to boost access to capital. Sports & Tourism Economy: Ponce mayor welcomed a $30 million Hilton renovation, positioning it as a tourism and local-economy boost. Consumer Watch: Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $905M after no grand-prize winner, with major secondary prizes reported.

Water Crisis Hits Puerto Rico’s Core: Puerto Rico has begun mandatory 48-hour rotating water shutoffs for about 180,000 customers across San Juan and nearby municipalities as the Carraízo reservoir drops, leaving residents scrambling for buckets, bottled water, and tanker deliveries. Infrastructure Strain, Not Just Weather: Reporting highlights that PRASA loses roughly 60% of treated water to leaks and aging systems, turning drought into a fast-moving service breakdown. Business Response: The DDEC is urging small businesses to apply for economic relief tied to the rationing emergency, while residents and owners adapt day-to-day—some even collecting AC condensation for basic needs. Energy/Resilience Angle: Tigo is expanding virtual power plant incentives to more states, including Puerto Rico, as households look for backup-ready ways to cut bills and support the grid. Tourism & Legal Watch: A Miss Universe co-owner’s stake faces potential seizure amid money-laundering-related proceedings, while water disruptions also raise concerns for visitors.

Water Crisis Update: Puerto Rico’s drought has triggered mandatory 48-hour rotating water shutoffs starting Friday, hitting about 180,000 customers in San Juan and nearby municipalities; residents report daily-life disruption as the rationing escalates. Infrastructure Pressure: Coverage highlights that the water system already loses roughly 60% of treated water to leaks and aging distribution, turning drought impacts into an emergency. Business Relief Push: The Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce is urging small and medium-sized businesses affected by the rationing to apply for grants up to $5,000 under its Economic Recovery Incentive Program. Emergency Aid Effort: A South Florida company is sending water-making machines that extract water from air to help ease shortages while the utility crisis continues. Tourism Watch: The rationing is also raising concerns for travelers and cruise schedules as tourists weigh whether the outages will affect hotels, restaurants, and plans. Local Economy Context: Telecom provider Liberty Puerto Rico reported mixed Q2 results, with revenue down 5% year over year even as its subscriber base grew.

Water Crisis Hits Businesses and Residents: Puerto Rico began a 48-hour rotating water rationing cycle affecting 180,000+ customers in San Juan and nearby municipalities as drought deepens, with officials warning outages could stretch to 72 hours. Economic Relief for SMEs: The DDEC is urging small and medium-sized businesses in designated municipalities to apply for grants up to $5,000 through its Economic Recovery Incentive Program to cover eligible costs tied to the water rationing emergency. Tourism Pressure Builds: The shutdowns are already disrupting travel plans, with tourists and cruise operators scrambling to adjust amid concerns about service continuity. Telecom Update: Liberty Puerto Rico reported mixed Q2 results, with revenue down 5% year-over-year to $287.5M, even as its subscriber base grew and cancellations fell. Energy Finance Watch: The U.S. DOE closed a major loan tied to Puerto Rico’s grid reliability and battery storage buildout, underscoring how power resilience remains a top business issue on the island. Media Policy: An FCC vote lifting a national TV ownership cap drew criticism from diversity advocates, who warn it could mean fewer local jobs and less local news.

Puerto Rico Business & Economy: Hecho en Puerto Rico and the Economic Development Bank signed an MOU to expand financing and business support for local companies, including loans and lines of credit up to $3 million, plus technical assistance and outreach. Ag & Jobs: The Puerto Rico and Caribbean Pork Producers Cooperative (COOPORCI-PR) inaugurated a Puerto Rico Meat Processing Center in Guaynabo with a $2.8 million investment, targeting local ranchers and creating about 140 direct and indirect jobs. Healthcare Tech Investment: Medplus Solutions said it invested more than $5 million over five years to expand infrastructure and technology, including a new San Juan building for Medido Health, growing its workforce from 108 to 190 since 2021. Local Market Pressure: A new Youth Misery Index finds Puerto Rico’s 20–24 age group is hit harder than the general population, driven by higher unemployment and squeezed purchasing power. Infrastructure & Resilience: Puerto Rico began water rationing in San Juan and other major cities as the drought crisis deepens, while a South Florida company shipped water-making systems to help.

Puerto Rico Infrastructure & Finance: San Juan pulled off a $121.05M bond sale, pricing $111.48M in tax-exempt Series A GOs and $9.58M in taxable Series B, with the tax-exempt portion reported as 18x oversubscribed—an important signal for investor appetite despite the territory’s past defaults. Airport & Demand: Luis Muñoz Marín International handled 1.31M passengers in July, down 5.1% year over year, with both domestic and international traffic contributing to the decline. Water Crisis Response: With drought forcing water rationing in San Juan and other cities, a South Florida firm is sending about 100 water-making systems to help generate water from the air. Energy & Grid Funding: The U.S. granted a $490M loan tied to 220 MW of battery capacity in Puerto Rico, while DOE also closed a $489M loan to support the island’s grid. Business & Expansion: Tommy’s Express named new franchise development directors for Canada and Europe, noting Puerto Rico as its newest market. Local Economy & Tourism: Ponce mayor welcomed a $30M Hilton renovation aimed at boosting tourism and local spending.

Energy & Grid Resilience: The U.S. Department of Energy closed a $489.4M loan to Dawn Puerto Rico (Pattern Energy) for 220 MW of battery storage in Arecibo and Santa Isabel, aiming to cut outage costs for more than 100,000 customers. Real Estate & Tourism: Puerto Rico approved the $2B Esencia luxury coastal development in Cabo Rojo, a solar-first, self-sufficient community with 500 hotel rooms and 1,200 homes—while critics vow a legal fight over environmental transparency. Clean Energy Policy: A new report says 284 distributed solar policy actions were taken across 45 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico in Q2 2026, with net metering and community solar leading the changes. Retail Expansion: Burlington Stores will open its 31st Puerto Rico location in San Germán on Aug. 14, bringing its redesigned format and weekly new merchandise. Business Finance: Fortun Holdings reported record July small-business financing volume of about $1.45M, up ~29% from its first-half monthly average. Healthcare Deal: MedImpact is arranging a $2.2B direct loan tied to its planned acquisition of Puerto Rico-based Medical Card System. Local Economy & Jobs: Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez welcomed a $30M Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino renovation expected to boost tourism and employment.

Tourism & Investment: Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez hailed a $30 million renovation of the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort by Serrallés Hotel, Inc., covering 255 rooms, public spaces, restaurants, event facilities, tech upgrades and amenities—aimed at boosting visitor traffic and local jobs. Energy & Grid Resilience: The U.S. Department of Energy closed a $489.4 million loan to Amanecer Puerto Rico (Pattern Energy) to add 220 MW of battery storage in Arecibo and Santa Isabel, targeting lower outage costs and more reliable power as drought and blackouts strain the system. Water Crisis: Puerto Rico is set to begin 48-hour water rationing for more than 180,000 San Juan-area customers starting Friday, as the drought worsens. Retail Expansion: Burlington will open a new San Germán store Aug. 14, its 31st in Puerto Rico, with a redesigned format and weekly new merchandise. Business & Finance: Service Properties Trust reported second-quarter 2026 results, and Costco posted July sales growth, including operations across Puerto Rico. Policy & Markets: A new report says 284 solar policy actions were taken in Q2 2026 across 45 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with net metering and community solar leading the debate.