By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia announced on Wednesday an investment of $12.5 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund to revitalize the Aeronautics and Aerospace Institute of Puerto Rico (IAAPR) with advanced equipment and infrastructure modernization.
“The goal is to promote Puerto Rico as a leader in innovation and economic development, strengthening advanced technical education in the aeronautics and aerospace sector,” Pierluisi said in a written statement.
The project, led by the island Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish), includes the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Aviation Maintenance Institute, the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) in Aguadilla and representatives of the private sector, such as Honeywell and Lufthansa Technik, integrated into the restructuring of the IAAPR.
The investment will allow for the acquisition of flight simulators, precision tools, and aircraft for practical training, and the modernization of facilities. Some $9 million will be allocated to the Department of Education and $3 million to the UPR in Aguadilla, with an additional $2 million from the DDEC for infrastructure.
DDEC Secretary Manuel Cidre Miranda noted that the project includes a five-year strategic plan with a new executive director that will guarantee the economic self-sufficiency of the IAAPR, thereby consolidating Puerto Rico as a regional center in the aerospace sector.
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