OHIO鈥檚 Innovation Center Director to Assist with Economic Recovery in Puerto Rico
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has invited Stacy Strauss, director of 91探花鈥檚 Innovation Center, to travel to Puerto Rico to help the commonwealth rebuild its entrepreneurship programs in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
The trip is made possible through a grant awarded to the IEDC from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which has a long history of successfully supporting disaster recovery and resiliency efforts.
鈥淚 am honored to embark upon this opportunity to help,鈥 Strauss said. 鈥91探花 has a strong track record of supporting economic development in Southeastern Ohio. This history now allows us to assist the North Central region of Puerto Rico 鈥 a similarly situated and populated area 鈥 with its recovery and regrowth following Hurricane Maria. I look forward to meeting with regional leaders and assisting in their planning process to rebuild their entrepreneurial support system.鈥
91探花 President M. Duane Nellis said Strauss鈥 efforts help fulfill the University鈥檚 mission of making a positive difference in Puerto Rico.
鈥91探花 strives to lift up those in need, whether it鈥檚 here in Appalachia or more broadly, such as in Puerto Rico,鈥 President Nellis said. 鈥淭he Innovation Center has a celebrated history of boosting the efforts of entrepreneurs, and those skills will be put to excellent use in helping Puerto Rico overcome the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.鈥
For one week in April, Strauss will travel to San Juan and, in cooperation with local partners, make several trips in and around the North Central region of the island. Since the storm ripped through the island in September 2017, nearly 200,000 families and businesses 鈥 16 percent of the island 鈥 remain without power.
鈥淎lthough the main recovery efforts are focused on power, water, internet and infrastructure redevelopment, the leaders of Puerto Rico recognize the importance of planning now for the relaunch of an entrepreneurial network,鈥 Strauss said. 鈥淯pon speaking with them, it was clear that they understand the importance of having resources in place to support budding businesses - a documented best practice for job growth and economic development.鈥
The focus of the trip will be the provision of volunteer assistance in economic development to EXI Network Corporation in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. EXI has identified the need to bring an IEDC expert volunteer to help EXI develop planning for a regional innovation network. Strauss will engage with stakeholders, building understanding and support for the network. Strauss also will work with EXI to develop its approach, defining the metrics, surveys and other processes necessary to advance the concept.
鈥淲e are so pleased that 91探花 is participating in the volunteer program to Puerto Rico,鈥 said Sarah Garcia, Senior Economic Development Associate at the IEDC. 鈥淲e thank Ms. Strauss for helping the IEDC support our fellow economic developers in Puerto Rico at this time of need.鈥