AGP Executive Report

Logistics Technology: Puerto Rico-based IslandWide launched an automated package sorter capable of handling 3,000 packages an hour, with the company projecting a 500% productivity increase. Connectivity: Construction has begun on a $25 million international internet cable at Parasasa, a project that could strengthen Puerto Rico’s links to global networks. Island Science: A newly named giant isopod offers clues to a 15-million-year journey through a vanished Panama Seaway. Health Research: The Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort is examining links between PFAS exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy. Digital Government: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute has launched StatBot 2.0, a new tool for accessing statistics. Energy and Industry: A new clean-energy partnership is set to benefit Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, while the island has also landed a $16 million defense-related manufacturing investment.

Logistics Tech: Puerto Rico-based IslandWide launched an automated package sorter that can handle 3,000 parcels an hour, boosting productivity by about 500%. Connectivity: Construction began on a $25 million international internet cable at Parasasa, a major investment in the island’s digital infrastructure. Research: A study using Puerto Rico’s PROTECT cohort examines PFAS exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy. Biodiversity: Puerto Rico’s newly named giant isopod offers clues to a 15-million-year journey through an ancient seaway. Space Science: Puerto Rico is among the sites in the LaserSETI network, which scans the sky for brief flashes that could reveal signals from beyond Earth. Public Data: The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute launched StatBot 2.0.

Island Logistics: Puerto Rico-based IslandWide has installed an automated package-sorting system funded by $612,000 in financing. It can process up to 3,000 packages an hour, with the company projecting a fivefold productivity increase across its island network. Digital Infrastructure: Construction has begun at Parasasa on a $25 million international internet cable project. The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute has also launched StatBot 2.0, expanding its use of digital tools for public data access. Science and Discovery: Puerto Rico is one of five sites in LaserSETI’s global network of optical detectors searching the sky for brief flashes, including possible signals from beyond Earth. New research on the island’s PROTECT cohort examines PFAS exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy, while a newly named giant isopod offers clues to Puerto Rico’s geological past and a vanished seaway.

Logistics Technology: Puerto Rico-based IslandWide installed an automated package sorter capable of processing 3,000 parcels an hour. The company expects it to raise productivity by about 500%. Internet Infrastructure: Construction has begun on a $25 million international internet cable at Parasasa, promising a major addition to the island’s connectivity. Space Science: Puerto Rico is already part of the LaserSETI network searching for brief flashes of light across the sky; a new site in Saudi Arabia expands the global search. Public Data: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute launched StatBot 2.0, bringing new tools to its public statistics service. Health Research: The Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort is featured in research examining PFAS exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy. Biodiversity: A newly named giant isopod from Puerto Rico offers clues to a 15-million-year journey through a vanished Panama Seaway.

Research & Space: Puerto Rico is part of the expanding LaserSETI network, which scans the sky for brief flashes of light that could reveal distant cosmic events. Saudi Arabia has joined as the network’s fifth site and first in Asia. Automation: Puerto Rico logistics firm IslandWide installed an automated package sorter that can handle up to 3,000 parcels an hour, with the company expecting a roughly fivefold productivity boost. Island Science: A study of a newly named giant isopod from Puerto Rico traces its lineage to a vanished seaway and a journey dating back 15 million years. Health Research: The Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort is examining possible links between PFAS exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy.

Digital IDs: Puerto Rico is among 21 states with mobile driver’s-license programs underway, as businesses prepare to accept digital credentials for services such as hotel check-in and banking. Regional Connectivity: Construction has begun in Curaçao on a $25 million submarine cable linking the island with Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations, with service expected by late 2027. Biotech Investment: Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million Puerto Rico plant, adding to the island’s life-sciences manufacturing base. Health Research: The Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort is examining links between PFAS exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy, bringing local data to an important environmental-health question.

Child-Protection Technology: Puerto Rico leaders are studying Omaha’s child advocacy center model as they work toward launching one on the island. The group has already adapted Cortex FLO, a forensic medical camera system for documenting injuries. Regional Connectivity: Construction has begun in Curaçao on a $25 million undersea cable planned to connect the island with Puerto Rico and other Caribbean locations; service is expected by late 2027. Island Science: A newly named giant isopod found in Puerto Rico is offering clues to a 15-million-year journey through a vanished seaway. Health Research: The Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort is examining PFAS exposure and blood pressure during pregnancy. Biotech Investment: Taiwan-based PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million Puerto Rico plant as it expands its global operations. Public Data Tools: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute has launched StatBot 2.0, its latest tool for accessing official statistics.

Caribbean Connectivity: Construction has begun in Curaçao on the $25 million CELIA undersea cable, which is designed to connect the island with Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations, adding internet capacity when it becomes operational in 2027. Island Science: Researchers say giant isopods may have spread from the Gulf of Mexico through a long-vanished seaway between the Americas more than 15 million years ago, shedding light on the history of a species recently identified from Puerto Rico. Energy Innovation: Puerto Rican engineer Nicole González co-founded Raya Power to bring households plug-and-play solar-and-battery backup systems, inspired in part by the island’s prolonged outages after Hurricane Maria. Health Technology: Senos Puerto Rico has introduced AI-assisted ultrasound tools to help doctors assess breast and thyroid nodules, while keeping physicians central to diagnosis. Biotech Investment: Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million Puerto Rico plant as it expands its global reach. Digital Government: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute has launched StatBot 2.0, bringing a new AI tool to its public data services.

Digital Commerce: Impact PaySystem has expanded payment processing to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, opening new options for merchants and local sales partners. AI and Marketing: Puerto Rico’s marketing summit on Oct. 22 will explore how artificial intelligence, data and customer experience are changing business. Marine Science: Researchers trace the giant isopod genus to the Gulf of Mexico more than 15 million years ago, when an open seaway connected the Americas. Public Technology: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute has launched StatBot 2.0, bringing an AI-powered tool to its public data services. Clean Energy: A new regional partnership will develop renewable energy, infrastructure and workforce projects across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Biotech and Manufacturing: PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million Puerto Rico drug plant, while the island has also landed a $16 million defense-related manufacturing investment. Power Grid: PREPA’s debt restructuring remains stalled, and only $2.7 billion of $10.7 billion in obligated FEMA recovery funds had been disbursed as of July.

Power and Clean Energy: Puerto Rico’s $9 billion PREPA debt restructuring remains stalled, while only $2.7 billion of $10.7 billion in obligated FEMA reconstruction funds had been disbursed by July. A new regional partnership aims to advance renewable energy, resilient infrastructure and clean-energy workforce training across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Local Tech and Biotech: Eleven Puerto Rican companies in fields including technology, engineering and biotechnology joined a trade mission to Canada to seek export opportunities. AI in Health Care: Manatí-based Atlantic Pathology has added AI-assisted digital tools to its cervical cancer screening quality-control process. Drug Manufacturing: PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million Puerto Rico plant as it expands its global operations.

Clean Energy: Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean could gain renewable-energy projects, resilient infrastructure and workforce training through a new three-year partnership between IBTS and Green Solutions International. Local Tech and Biotech: A DDEC-led trade mission is taking 11 Puerto Rican companies—including technology, engineering and biotech firms—to Canada to pursue export deals. Digital Health: Manatí-based Atlantic Pathology has added AI-assisted tools to its cervical cancer screening quality-control workflow, supporting labs across the island. Critical Connectivity: A Dutch security assessment warns that damage to undersea cables in Curaçao could disrupt communications in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands. Life Sciences Investment: Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million Puerto Rico plant as it expands its global operations. Wildlife Research: A new documentary follows University of Puerto Rico biologist Rafael Joglar’s work to study and protect the island’s coquí frogs from mounting threats.

Digital Health: Manatí-based Atlantic Pathology has added AI-assisted digital review to its cervical cancer screening quality-control workflow, using whole-slide imaging to support Pap test checks. Public Data: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute launched StatBot 2.0, letting residents ask questions in everyday language and follow up without restarting their search. Critical Connectivity: A Dutch security assessment warns that damage to Curaçao’s undersea cables could disrupt communications across the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. Biomanufacturing: PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million Puerto Rico plant as it expands its global operations.

Public Data: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute launched StatBot 2.0, an upgraded assistant that lets residents search official information in everyday language and ask follow-up questions. Satellite Connectivity: The FCC authorized Globalstar’s C-3 satellite system, including operations with ground stations in Puerto Rico and direct-to-phone service. Local Industry: A $16 million Mayagüez facility will use insect-repellent treatment on military uniforms, creating 56 jobs; Taiwan-based PharmaEssentia is also planning a $46 million drug-manufacturing plant near San Juan, pending approvals. Digital IDs: Puerto Rico is among the jurisdictions supporting driver’s licenses in Apple and Google Wallet for use at participating TSA checkpoints. Wildlife Science: A federal biologist rescued a critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot chick from an invasive boa.

Public Data: Puerto Rico’s Statistics Institute launched StatBot 2.0, a virtual assistant that lets residents search for official statistics in everyday language and ask follow-up questions. Satellite Connectivity: The FCC authorized Globalstar’s third-generation satellite system to operate in the U.S. Its approval includes Puerto Rico ground stations and allows service to mobile devices, including direct-to-device connectivity. Defense Manufacturing: Warmkraft plans a $16 million Mayagüez facility to treat military uniforms with insect-repellent technology, creating 56 jobs and bringing a long-vacant industrial building back into use. Biopharma: Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia is investing $46 million in a Toa Baja plant for its blood-cancer drug, with operations expected to begin in 2027 pending regulatory approvals.

Biopharma Investment: Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million plant in Toa Baja to make its blood-cancer drug Ropeg. The facility is expected to open in 2027, pending approvals, with local staff training in Taiwan. University Research: A UPR–Mayagüez professor won an NSF CAREER award for research on human–AI collaboration in autonomous vehicles. UPR also opened a scientific incubator with $4 million for a research and technology center. Wildlife Science: A federal biologist rescued a critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot chick from an invasive boa, highlighting the role of field monitoring in protecting the island’s wildlife. Agricultural Biosecurity: Federal and Puerto Rico officials are inspecting produce and other host materials after Mediterranean fruit flies were detected in Old San Juan. Water Infrastructure: Puerto Rico’s rationing and unreliable service reflect a deeper challenge: aging water systems and infrastructure gaps that leave many communities without dependable running water.

Biotech Investment: Taiwan’s PharmaEssentia plans a $46 million plant in Toa Baja to make a blood-cancer drug, with operations expected to begin in 2027, pending regulatory approval. Research Funding: The Energy Department selected 38 projects across 21 states and Puerto Rico for a combined $36 million in research grants. Separately, UPR opened a scientific incubator and secured $4 million for a research and technology center. Island Science: A UPR–Mayagüez professor won an NSF CAREER award for research on human-AI collaboration in autonomous vehicles. Agricultural Biosecurity: Federal and Puerto Rico agriculture teams are monitoring a Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine in Old San Juan to protect crops and trade. Wildlife Conservation: A federal biologist rescued a critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot chick from an invasive boa. Water Access: Puerto Rico’s rationing and aging infrastructure continue to leave communities, especially in rural areas, facing uncertain access to running water.