Southern Puerto Rico’s Economic Development District
SPREDD is the first Economic Development District (EDD) in Puerto Rico and includes six (6) municipalities: Guánica, Yauco, Guayanilla, Peñuelas, Ponce and Juana Díaz, which are located in the southern part of Puerto Rico.
Overarching Strategic Goals
Build economic development
capacity within the region.
Maximize use of the Port of Ponce.
Provide targeted support for most promising industry sectors/clusters.
Address specific issues/opportunities to build additional economic development capacity.
Support the creation of a regional initiative centered on blue and green infrastructure as a global best practice.
Currently, there are around 400 EDDs in the United States and its territories; SPREDD is the first one in Puerto Rico and is classified as an independent, non-government, 501(c)(3) entity with federal designation from the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
This site provides background, analysis and updates on the process and progress of Puerto Rico’s first Economic Development District, the Southern Puerto Rico Economic Development District (SPREDD).
Help Develop the Region
Municipalities
An EDD (Economic Development District) represents several municipalities to coordinate planning and investments managed on existing infrastructure and regional strengths.
The region must have at least one geographic area that meets the region’s economic distress indicators:
- An unemployment rate that is at least one percentage point higher than the national average unemployment rate.
- A Per Capita Income (PCI) that is less than or equal to 80% of the national average PCI; or
- A Special Need, as determined by the EDA (Economic Development Administration).
