AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity Boost: Frontier Airlines is adding seasonal daily flights to San Juan from Dallas, Houston, and Cleveland for the holiday rush, adding 15,624 seats and easing a recent softening in airport traffic. Water Crisis Watch: Puerto Rico has started rotating 48-hour water shutoffs affecting about 180,000 properties as drought leaves the Carraízo reservoir nearly depleted, with residents lining up for tanker deliveries while officials say the timeline for recovery is still unclear. Ag Tech Funding: AgCentric won a $129,579 NSF supplement to expand Agricultural Robotics and Automation education, including curriculum field testing and educator training. Local Business Spotlight: Media personality Maripily Rivera launched Café Pily, a coffee developed with her direct taste input and roasted/packaged in Ponce. Consumer Finance Snapshot: TransUnion reports Puerto Rico’s credit profile remains strong, with an average score of 712 in the first half of 2026 and delinquency rates generally stable.

Water Crisis & Local Economy: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven water rationing is hitting households and businesses hard, with rotating 48-hour shutoffs in San Juan and other cities and major daily losses reported by retailers and hospitality operators. Policy & Infrastructure Fixes: Commentators argue the island’s “man-made” failure is mismanagement and aging systems, while rainwater harvesting from rooftops is flagged as an underused, practical backup. Consumer Credit Snapshot: TransUnion reports Puerto Rico consumers’ credit profile stayed strong in H1 2026 (avg score 712), with delinquency rates generally low across loans, cards, and mortgages. Business & Compliance: Carolina Catering (Sky Caterers) earned Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification, positioning the Puerto Rican food service firm as the only SQF holder in its category locally. Energy Tech: Tesla enabled vehicle-to-load on the Model Y Premium in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, letting owners draw 2.4 kW via an $80 adapter. Travel & Tourism Demand: A Virtuoso report shows luxury travel demand for fall 2026 is surging, with September sales up sharply—good news for Puerto Rico’s visitor economy.

Water Crisis & Governance: Puerto Rico’s historic drought has pushed San Juan and other cities into rotating 48-hour water shutoffs for about 180,000 households, with businesses and hotels losing an estimated $20 million a day—an outcome critics call “man-made” due to aging infrastructure and mismanagement. Rainwater Missed Opportunity: A ready fix is being underused: Puerto Rico’s rooftops could capture rainfall, but catchment systems aren’t required, leaving the island exposed as drought risk rises. Policy Pressure: Lawmakers are urging federal action, including a push for a disaster declaration, while local groups warn the rationing could worsen without faster, smarter mitigation. Business & Credit Snapshot: Despite financial strain, Puerto Rico consumers’ credit profile stayed strong, with TransUnion reporting an average score of 712 in the first half of 2026 and lower delinquency rates in key loan categories. Local Economy & Tourism: DISTRITO T-Mobile and Coca-Cola Music Hall marked its fifth anniversary with a three-day lineup and reported 12+ million visitors since opening, aiming to top 15 million by year-end. Food Safety: Carolina Catering Corp. (Sky Caterers) earned Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification, positioning the company as a standout in Puerto Rico’s food service compliance landscape.

Puerto Rico Credit Watch: TransUnion reports Puerto Ricans’ consumer credit profile stayed strong in the first half of 2026, with an average score of 712 (up from 707 in June 2025) and lower delinquency rates across personal loans, auto loans, cards, and mortgages. Water Crisis & Federal Push: Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernández and 25 members of Congress urged Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón to request a major disaster declaration over the island’s water crisis, citing rationing up to 48 hours for more than 180,000 households and the knock-on effects for families and businesses. Local Business Resilience: Carolina Catering (Sky Caterers) earned Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification, positioning the Puerto Rico food service firm as the only one in its category on the island with the internationally recognized credential. Health & Community Impact: A Puerto Rico Army National Guard veteran, Keyla Elias Colon, received a kidney call that briefly raised hopes of a transplant—then was delayed when the donor kidney wasn’t viable—highlighting the stakes for patients waiting on life-saving organs. Education & Workforce: The University of San Juan begins a new phase Aug. 17 with $2.4 million in upgrades, new programs (including paramedic-firefighter and an accelerated criminal justice track for municipal police), and added student and faculty resources. Entertainment & Tourism Economy: DISTRITO T-Mobile and Coca-Cola Music Hall mark their fifth anniversary Aug. 14-16 at Popular Plaza with free events featuring major Puerto Rican acts, as the venue targets 15 million visitors by year-end.

Water Crisis & Local Economy: Puerto Rico’s economy is showing clear strain as the DDEC Economic Activity Index fell for three straight quarters, with drought-driven disruptions hitting consumption and business activity. Water Crisis & Daily Life: The island’s rationing has left hundreds of thousands without running water for 48-hour stretches, with San Juan and nearby municipalities among the hardest hit—raising costs for hotels and restaurants and exposing long-standing infrastructure weaknesses. Aging & Care Tech: Caregivers of Puerto Rico is rolling out an “Electronic Guardian Angel” remote monitoring service for seniors, using wearables and sensors (including fall detection and safe-mobility zones) with monthly pricing aimed at keeping older residents independent. Hospitality & Travel: Radisson Hotel Group launched a B2B extended-stay platform, signaling continued demand for corporate long stays even as hurricane-season readiness becomes a bigger operational focus. Business Climate: A new report highlights how AI adoption in schools is racing ahead of training and policy—an issue that could shape future workforce readiness and education spending decisions.

Water Crisis & Business Impact: Puerto Rico’s drought-driven water rationing has left hundreds of thousands without running water as rotating 48-hour shutoffs begin, with the government rolling out incentives and aid for affected businesses and municipalities. Public Policy & Utilities: FEMA is providing water trailers while officials warn the crisis is tied to both rainfall gaps and aging infrastructure failures, pushing water risk higher for households and commerce. Puerto Rico in the Courts: A U.S. legal fight over a Puerto Rico climate case was filed too late, with oil companies arguing against reviving the suit. Local Economy & Development: Selig Enterprises is moving through approvals for a 375-unit multifamily rental project on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Ponce, signaling continued housing investment despite operating pressures. Sports & Community: Tributes continue after Puerto Rican boxer Prichard “Digget” Colon died at 33 following a long-term brain injury from a 2015 bout. Governance & Elections: A cybersecurity firm hired to review Puerto Rico voting equipment says Trump allies derailed its work after it found no evidence of voter fraud.

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.