The Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación de Puerto Rico held the official inauguration yesterday of the Forward Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility located in Ciudad de las Ciencias, in San Juan. The project, with an investment of $7.1 million, marks a milestone in a push for scientific and technological progress in Puerto Rico.
The Forward Center, built to withstand natural disasters, will serve as a workspace for up to 40 startups in the fields of science, technology and manufacturing.
It will also offer ample research and development (R&D) spaces across various industries, equipped with modern technology. Among the first tenants are Smartweave and the Centro Comprensivo de Cáncer.
The $7.1 million investment comes from a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and from the Fideicomiso, through an 80/20 fund-matching program aimed at the construction of projects with economic impact and recovery following hurricanes Irma and María in 2017.
Engineer Lucy Crespo, chief executive officer of the Fideicomiso, said: "This project represents a significant milestone in our mission to promote scientific, research, academic, entrepreneurial and innovation progress in Puerto Rico."
According to Crespo, the center will be essential for small businesses and nongovernmental organizations, providing incubation and acceleration space in the information technology, aerospace and medical device development sectors.
Construction of the Forward Center was led by the architecture firm Jorge Rigau Arquitectos, PSC., and currently generates more than 100 direct jobs and over 175 indirect jobs.
"The opening of the Forward Center is cause for celebration for our talented community of researchers and entrepreneurs, who will contribute to positioning Puerto Rico globally as a center for advanced technology," Crespo added.
The center will also include a collaborative space aimed at entrepreneurs, which will benefit startups looking to work in science, technology and manufacturing.
"Projects like this will put us on the map as competitors in the research sector, where we have extensive experience and trained talent," said Manuel Cidre, secretary of the DDEC.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
