Connecticut has the largest percentage of Puerto Rican population of any state. The 300,000 or so people of Puerto Rican heritage living in Connecticut make up 8% of the total population and just about half of the state’s Hispanic residents. So it may not be surprising that Governor Ned Lamont has decided to form a Connecticut-Puerto Rico trade commission.
Governor Lamont introduced the law establishing the commission and it received unanimous support from Connecticut’s legislature. The governor signed the bill into law. “Economic growth cannot happen in a bubble, and there remains untapped potential to mutually benefit economic and business partnerships between Connecticut and Puerto Rico,” he said. “By collaborating with the business community and those in Connecticut’s strong Puerto Rican community, this commission has the potential to develop the forward-thinking steps that improve trade and investment between our state and Puerto Rico.”
State Representative Geraldo Reyes, Jr. celebrated the new law, saying in a statement, “By building direct partnerships with Puerto Rico, we can expand skilled workforce pipelines, increase the flow of goods and materials, and open new markets for Connecticut-made products. This collaboration will drive innovation, economic growth, and good-paying jobs for both regions.”
The commission, which is intended to have 23 members, will be established once Puerto Rico’s territorial government passes a corresponding law. It should begin work in the fall. All members of the commission will be volunteers, and will not be paid for their service.
Economic connections between Connecticut and Puerto Rico
Boehringer Ingelheim, Unilever, Henkle, World Wrestling Entertainment, and Foxwood Casinos are examples of companies headquartered in Connecticut which have facilities in Puerto Rico. Avara Pharmaceutical Services, which manufactures medications in Puerto Rico, is owned by a holding company sited in Connecticut.
El Mercado, Ponce Supermarket, CTown Supermarkets, and Casa Latina Supermarket are a few of the local grocery stores in Hartford that carry a wide range of foods produced in Puerto Rico. Connecticut-made goods are also easily purchased in Puerto Rico.
These are just a few of the economic connections between Connecticut and Puerto Rico. The planned commission will work to increase the points of connection between the state and the territory.
While the commission will work with large corporations, they also plan to seek out and encourage connections with local entrepreneurs in both locations.
A glimpse of the future
No territory in history has ever been as deeply integrated into the United States economy as Puerto Rico is. The Island imported about $30 billion in goods from the states in 2022, and is the U.S.’s top exporter of pharmaceuticals.
Once Puerto Rico is admitted as a state and has an even playing field, the Island can expect to blossom economically, like all other previous territories which have become states. The resulting increase in prosperity will benefit both Puerto Rico and the United States as a whole.
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