Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved an additional drought disaster declaration for Puerto Rico, designating three municipalities as primary disaster areas and 16 others as contiguous areas. The process was supported by the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) in coordination with Puerto Rico's Department of Agriculture, as part of the González Colón administration's efforts with the federal government to address drought effects and ensure affected farmers and producers can access federal resources.
This new designation adds to a declaration announced August 26, raising to 38 the total number of Puerto Rico municipalities covered by drought-related federal declarations. The designations allow eligible farmers and producers to access emergency loans and other assistance through USDA and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The declaration also enables Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) for eligible small businesses and nonprofits in designated municipalities facing economic hardship due to drought, subject to SBA eligibility criteria. González Colón said, "This action represents additional and critical support for our farmers and producers affected by the conditions our Island continues to face." The declaration responds to conditions identified by the U.S. [drought monitoring authority, text truncated].