SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – LIFT, the Detroit-based Department of Defense national manufacturing innovation institute, the governor of Puerto Rico and the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico (DEDC) announced they have signed an agreement to launch an institute facility satellite to advanced applied research and development, as well as advanced manufacturing on the island.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed Dec. 20 at La Fortaleza, bringing the institute to Puerto Rico to engage with the Island’s manufacturers to further develop their technologies and support the Island’s workforce by providing advanced manufacturing training opportunities. As part of the agreement, DEDC has committed to providing $2 million to support LIFT Puerto Rico over the next two years and the institute has committed to $2 million of its own funds. The institute is currently exploring locations for the facility. This agreement follows the announcement earlier this month that the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program, overseen by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, is committing funding to support the LIFT Puerto Rico satellite.
“Puerto Rico is known for its specialized workforce, and LIFT Puerto Rico brings world-class advanced manufacturing technology development capabilities to Puerto Rico and provides a significant economic asset that will expand competitiveness, manufacturing readiness, economic, and workforce growth”, said Pedro R. Pierluisi, governor of Puerto Rico.
“It is incumbent upon us as a national manufacturing innovation institute, to support manufacturers and their workforce where they are and where we are able,” said Nigel Francis, chief executive officer and executive director, LIFT. “We are grateful to both the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce and the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program for their support of this LIFT initiative.”
“The Manufacture sector is nearly half of the gross domestic product of the Island, workforce development is of the essence to support those manufacturing operations and their workforce with the best skills that allow us to compete with the world,” said Manuel Cidre, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. “This is a vitally important collaboration with LIFT – bringing leadership, manufacturing expertise and its current 300-member ecosystem on the mainland to support the manufacturing base here.”
"The Puerto Rico Aerospace Technology Consortium (PRATC) would like to welcome LIFT to the aerospace and defense community in Puerto Rico as PRTAC aligns perfectly with LIFT’s mission and in support of our nation’s economy and enhanced national security.,” said Luis Ramos, Former President, Puerto Rico Aerospace Technology Consortium, Inc.
Puerto Rico has a long history of manufacturing and a diverse manufacturing economy, including biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, agroecology, aerospace, electronics, computing, engineering and construction, and apparel.
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