Coverage timeline
DDEC
Every story we’ve published that names DDEC, newest first.
- DDEC Subsecretary to Remain in Position Despite Expanded Investigation
Roberto Lefranc Fortuño, Subsecretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), will remain in his position despite an investigation by the Independent Special Prosecutor’s Office (FEI) being expanded to examine potential criminal or delinquent conduct.
- Puerto Rico’s Economic Growth to Fall Below Prior Forecasts, Says Planning Board
Héctor Morales, president of Puerto Rico’s Planning Board (JP), announced Wednesday updated economic growth projections showing near-flat growth for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
- About 200 Workers Temporarily Laid Off at Aguadilla Manufacturer
Approximately 200 employees were laid off from their jobs at Great Lakes SolX PR, LLC (SolX), a manufacturing company in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, according to confirmation from the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC).
- Luxury Condo Project Opus Awaits Tax Incentive Decree
The luxury condominium project Opus in Miramar’s Convention District is still awaiting a tax incentive decree, which would grant it multiple benefits, including a 15-year tax exemption and construction fee waivers.
- What the DDEC Crisis Means for Act 60
Eight weeks ago, Puerto Rico’s Department of Economic Development and Commerce — the agency that runs the island’s Act 60 incentives program — lost its secretary and more than ten of its senior officials in a single day.
- Puerto Rico Senate Considers Summoning Governor for Probe
The Puerto Rico Senate is considering summoning Governor Jenniffer González Colón as part of a multiparty investigation into alleged corruption at La Fortaleza.
- Islandwide and DDEC Launch Automated Package Sorting System in Puerto Rico
The Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) and logistics company Islandwide announced the launch of an automated package sorting system aimed at speeding up parcel processing and strengthening Puerto Rico’s logistics capacity.
- Politank Submits Late Reports After Audit Findings
Almost a month after the results of an audit were released, pointing to a pattern of alleged non-compliance, Politank, Corp. has reportedly submitted the necessary reports to the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) to maintain its contributory decree as a services exporter under Law 60 of 2019.
- Sierra Club Warns Against Merging Permit Projects
Sierra Club Puerto Rico is urging the rejection of the merged permit projects, Senate bills 1173 and 1183, as the combined legislative substitute creates a new Planning and Permits Code that reduces preventive controls, weakens environmental oversight, and concentrates land-use authority in structures under the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC).
- Carlos Ríos Pierluisi Aims to Stabilize DDEC
Carlos José Ríos Pierluisi has taken the helm of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) with the goal of restoring 'stability, certainty, and continuity' to the agency.
- PFEI Names Two Special Prosecutors Over Ex-DDEC Secretary’s Complaints
The Panel on the Independent Special Prosecutor (PFEI) determined there was sufficient cause to investigate the complaints filed by former Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard, and assigned two special independent prosecutors to handle them as related matters.
- DDEC Secretary Negrón Reichard Resigns, Followed by Agency’s Senior Leadership
Sebastián Negrón Reichard resigned as Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), effective at noon on May 26, telling Governor Jenniffer González Colón that the position requires mutual trust and respect for the authority the law confers on the Secretary — and that "that trust no longer exists."