Puerto Ricans

Puerto Ricans Can Now Play the Lottery Right From Their Phone

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 12, 2023

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jackpocket, America's #1 lottery app*, today announced its official launch in Puerto Rico, the first market outside of the contiguous U.S. in which the app is available.

Key Points: 
  • Now, lottery players in Puerto Rico can use Jackpocket to play their favorite lottery games, including Powerball, Loto Cash, Pega 4, Pega 3, and Pega 2 from their phone, anywhere on the island.
  • If players win prizes over $1,200, their winning ticket will be transferred to them so they can claim their lottery prize from the Puerto Rico Lottery.
  • To celebrate the launch, Jackpocket is offering lottery players in Puerto Rico their first lottery ticket for free on the app.
  • "We are thrilled to bring Puerto Ricans a new, convenient way to play the lottery," said Peter Sullivan, founder and CEO of Jackpocket.

Alternative to Obesity Medicines--Innovative Resources to Manage Weight and Tackle Diabetes in Hispanic Communities for the upcoming holiday seasons

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 17, 2023

The webinars demystify diabetes (Seminar 1), champion healthy dietary choices (Seminar 2), reveal exercise benefits (Seminar 3), and offer tangible strategies for controlling the condition (Seminar 4).

Key Points: 
  • The webinars demystify diabetes (Seminar 1), champion healthy dietary choices (Seminar 2), reveal exercise benefits (Seminar 3), and offer tangible strategies for controlling the condition (Seminar 4).
  • "With so much talk about the challenges of maintaining a healthy weight and diabetes disproportionately affecting Hispanic populations, it's vital to dismantle the persistent belief that diabetes is inevitable for Hispanics."
  • "Our initiative is about providing trusted, scientifically-backed resources to transform lives through education and support."
  • You can access these life-enhancing webinars at www.healthyamericasfund.org/resources and be part of the change, materials.

Puerto Rico Selects ICF for $24 Million Disaster Management Contract

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 7, 2023

RESTON, Va., Aug. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ICF (NASDAQ:ICFI), a global consulting and technology services provider, was recently awarded a multiple-award, recompete contract by the Government of Puerto Rico's Public Private Partnership Authority (P3) to provide disaster recovery project development services. The contract, which is administered by the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), was also expanded to include hazard mitigation program services. It has a value of $24 million and a term of three years, including a one-year base and two one-year options.

Key Points: 
  • It has a value of $24 million and a term of three years, including a one-year base and two one-year options.
  • ICF will bring expertise in disaster management and leading-edge technologies to provide program administration and technical assistance support to assist COR3 in dispersing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds as quickly as possible.
  • Our Puerto Rican-led teams are committed to rebuilding Puerto Rico in a way that protects the island and its residents from the impacts of future disasters."
  • ICF supports communities across the disaster management lifecycle and is an established leader in end-to-end mitigation services—from assessment to public engagement and planning through implementation.

Sunnova Flex Power Program Ready to Participate in Puerto Rico's Battery Emergency Demand Response Program To Bolster the Electric Grid and Increase Reliability

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 31, 2023

By voluntarily participating in the program through the Sunnova Flex Power Program, Sunnova customers will play an active role in bolstering the grid and supporting a reliable power supply for Puerto Ricans.

Key Points: 
  • By voluntarily participating in the program through the Sunnova Flex Power Program, Sunnova customers will play an active role in bolstering the grid and supporting a reliable power supply for Puerto Ricans.
  • In return for their battery response and contribution, customers will be compensated for the power supplied by their batteries.
  • "The unfortunate reality of an unreliable local electrical grid and frequent power outages has plagued Puerto Rico for far too long.
  • Since the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Sunnova has helped to drive energy resiliency and reliability in Puerto Rico.

Discover Puerto Rico Celebrates Five Years of Unprecedented Tourism Growth

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of a record-breaking year in travel and tourism for Puerto Rico, Discover Puerto Rico, the Island's official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) reflects on a groundbreaking five years of continued growth for Puerto Rico's tourism economy, following a powerful brand evolution for the Island that has placed data-backed strategies at the forefront of award-winning marketing efforts.

Key Points: 
  • SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of a record-breaking year in travel and tourism for Puerto Rico, Discover Puerto Rico , the Island's official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) reflects on a groundbreaking five years of continued growth for Puerto Rico's tourism economy, following a powerful brand evolution for the Island that has placed data-backed strategies at the forefront of award-winning marketing efforts.
  • Following a data-driven and agile approach to marketing, Discover Puerto Rico has propelled economic prosperity for the people of Puerto Rico through the tourism sector and elevated the Island on a global scale, including global marketing in Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Colombia, among others in addition to the U.S.
  • "Sunshine to Spare" - Discover Puerto Rico partnered with the Pantone Color Institute to create a first-of-its-kind color inspired by the hue of Puerto Rican sunlight, based on findings by Puerto Rican physicist, Hector J. Jimenez.
  • Standout efforts in meetings and events further promote Puerto Rico as a leading destination in the MICE space.

Sunrun Stands Ready for New Emergency Demand Response Program in Puerto Rico as Energy Instability Continues to Plague Local Residents

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023

Puerto Rico leads the U.S. in total hours of electricity outages.

Key Points: 
  • Puerto Rico leads the U.S. in total hours of electricity outages.
  • This innovative distributed power plant program was formed in response to the island’s outages that regularly occur multiple times a week.
  • In the event of a local power outage, batteries enrolled in the program will retain enough backup energy to meet personal, essential needs.
  • The Battery Emergency Demand Response program is separate from the 17-megawatt distributed power plant project Sunrun announced in Puerto Rico last year.

Puerto Rico has been part of the US for 125 years, but its future remains contested

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 13, 2023

In the 125 years since U.S. troops invaded Puerto Rico on July 25, 1898, during the Spanish-American War, the U.S. government has controlled the island militarily, politically and economically – with no end in sight or, for Puerto Rico, a clear path to statehood.

Key Points: 
  • In the 125 years since U.S. troops invaded Puerto Rico on July 25, 1898, during the Spanish-American War, the U.S. government has controlled the island militarily, politically and economically – with no end in sight or, for Puerto Rico, a clear path to statehood.
  • That has been an issue of contention for many Puerto Ricans living on the island and stateside.
  • As I have documented in my 2017 book “Puerto Rico: What Everyone Needs to Know,” the island of nearly 3.3 million people has a peculiar position in Latin American and Caribbean countries because of its dependent relationship with the U.S. Technically, Puerto Rico is an “unincorporated territory” that legally belongs to but is not a part of the United States.

The road to territorial dependence

    • The court also ruled that the island was “a territory belonging to … but not a part of the United States.” This decision meant that Congress would determine which parts of the U.S. Constitution applied to Puerto Rico.
    • In another case, the court declared in 1904 that Puerto Rican emigrants to the U.S. were not “aliens” and could move freely to the U.S. mainland.
    • Congress granted U.S. citizenship to all residents of Puerto Rico in 1917, but it did not extend to them all constitutional rights and obligations of citizenship, such as having congressional representation or paying federal income taxes.
    • In 1952, Puerto Rico became a U.S. commonwealth (or “Estado Libre Asociado” in Spanish) with a greater degree of autonomy than it previously had.

A colony except in name

    • But that delegate can only vote in congressional committees, not in full floor votes.
    • And Puerto Ricans living on the island cannot vote for the U.S. president and vice president.
    • But the president and Congress can determine policies about domestic programs, defense, international relations, foreign trade, and investment that affect people living in Puerto Rico.
    • The board will remain in effect until Puerto Rico has balanced its budget.

Statehood for Puerto Rico?

    • In 2017, statehood won decisively – over 97% of those who participated – but the turnout was very low at 23%.
    • But nearly half of the electorate rejected this option, underscoring the split among Puerto Rican voters.
    • 8393, proposing yet another referendum on Puerto Rico’s political status, which would have been the first to bind Congress to implement its results.
    • As a result, 125 years after the U.S. occupation, Puerto Rico is still considered “foreign in a domestic sense.”

Discover Puerto Rico Wins North America SABRE Award

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 8, 2023

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Discover Puerto Rico, the Island's Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), won PRovoke Media's North America SABRE Award for its "Sunshine to Spare" campaign - in the practice area category Branded Journalism. This campaign sought to bottle the Island's most famous attribute, the sunshine.

Key Points: 
  • SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Discover Puerto Rico , the Island's Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), won PRovoke Media's North America SABRE Award for its " Sunshine to Spare" campaign - in the practice area category Branded Journalism.
  • It is a testament to an original approach to travel marketing that captured Puerto Rico Sunshine's irresistible and unforgettable hue," said Leah Chandler, Chief Marketing Officer of Discover Puerto Rico.
  • To help bring the color to life, Discover Puerto Rico partnered with Pantone Color Institute to create the official certified color, Puerto Rico Sunshine.
  • For more information about the destination, follow Discover Puerto Rico's social channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com .

Discover Puerto Rico Named Among Fast Company's "World's Most Innovative Companies" in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 2, 2023

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Discover Puerto Rico, the Island's official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), has been included in Fast Company magazine's annual World's Most Innovative Companies list for 2023. Named within the Travel and Hospitality category, this accomplishment places the DMO alongside organizations that are at the cutting edge of their respective industries, paving the way for the innovations of tomorrow. Discover Puerto Rico joins this illustrious list of honorees in light of its groundbreaking travel marketing efforts that have kept the Island at the forefront of travelers' imagination, including the newly launched, values-based marketing campaign, Live Boricua. In the face of adversity, the DMO has continuously driven year-on-year gains in tourism by celebrating the Island's best assets to make an appeal to visitors from the world over – at the heart of these efforts are the people and culture of Puerto Rico.

Key Points: 
  • "We are immensely proud to be recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies and to be included among travel sector organizations that inspire us," said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico.
  • Discover Puerto Rico was chosen as "a business enabling new ways to explore the world and making people feel welcome wherever they are."
  • Efforts like the Live Boricua campaign are a testament to the power of immersive travel marketing in the post pandemic era – a moment Puerto Rico is built for," said Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico.
  • To learn more about Discover Puerto Rico's Live Boricua campaign, visit: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/live-boricua .

Puerto Rico Issues Clarifying Guidance Staking as a Service Eligible Service for 4% Tax Rate

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 27, 2023

For the first time, the Puerto Rican government has provided definitions for blockchain validation, staking, mining, digital assets, among others.

Key Points: 
  • For the first time, the Puerto Rican government has provided definitions for blockchain validation, staking, mining, digital assets, among others.
  • For nearly 100 years, Puerto Rico has built its economy through incentives programs, whether it be sugarcane, pharmaceuticals, or manufacturing.
  • “A 4% tax on the income generated from staked assets is a win for Puerto Rico,” said Keiko Yoshino, Executive Director for the Puerto Rico Blockchain Trade Association.
  • The export service incentive allows any business that exports a service off the island to qualify for a 4% corporate tax rate.