By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director Joel A. Pizá Batiz, who also is the president of the Aerospace and Aeronautical Industry Council of Puerto Rico, met at the White House this week with officials from the National Space Council to address the development of the aerospace industry on the island, including the proposal for a spaceport at the Ceiba airport.
“This meeting with the National Space Council of the White House is a significant one, as it provided us with the opportunity to directly present several issues related to the development of the spaceport at the Ceiba airport and update the planning process and the application for the license with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),” Pizá Batiz said in a written statement. “We also discussed Governor [Pedro] Pierluisi’s public policy for the development of the aerospace industry on the island. In addition, it allowed us to know how we can request help from the federal government, agencies such as the Department of Defense and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to consider Puerto Rico in the field of aerospace in its future development and its projects.”
Pizá Batiz, who was accompanied at the meeting by Federal Affairs Administration Executive Director Luis Dávila Pernas and Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Manuel Cidre Miranda, said the National Space Council, authorized under Title V of Public Law 100-685, advises and assists the president of the United States in the development and implementation of national space policy and strategy. The council is composed of secretaries and senior officials of the executive branch under the leadership of its president, who is Vice President Kamala Harris. It is also supported by the User Advisory Group, a federal advisory committee of outside experts from industry, academia, and other non-federal organizations.
Regarding the spaceport in Ceiba, which is a long-term project, Pizá Batiz noted that through this [proposal] “we seek to sow the seed of what will be a prosperous industry for Ceiba and for all of Puerto Rico in a few years.”
“We are extremely satisfied with the progress of the work plan of this Council, considering that it is a novel issue for the government of Puerto Rico,” he said. “In just one year since the establishment of this Council, we have been able to build a strategic work structure in an area of such potential worldwide.”
Dávila Pernas added that “during recent years we have seen the importance of investing in our ports and aerospace industry.”
“Our strategic geographic location and strong ties to the federal government place Puerto Rico at the forefront of these industries, which in turn drive economic growth and create more employment opportunities on the island,” he said. “I am confident that our efforts together with the Puerto Rico Port Authority and its executive director, Joel Pizá, will bring results that will be of great benefit to future generations.”
Cidre Miranda said meanwhile that “for the economic development of Puerto Rico and in line with #PRopósito, the aerospace sector is one of the priority sectors with global opportunity.”
“Therefore, positioning Puerto Rico as an attractive destination for the aerospace industry is a priority,” he said. “‘Space Commerce’ and ‘Spaceports,’ among other initiatives, contribute significantly to positioning Puerto Rico. This sector already has six manufacturing and design operations in Puerto Rico with nearly 8,000 jobs with well-paying wages.”