Why Puerto Rico | 2018 Retail Market Report WhyPuertoRicoBrochure-High | Page 10

Economy EDA invests $12,080,000 for business growth "Technology startups", technical assistance and planning for long-term disaster recovery in Puerto Rico” EDA's announced investments are : • The Puerto Rico Trade and Export company will receive a grant of $1.6 million to establish a business program to provide technical assistance and recovery support after the devastating season last year’s hurricanes. • The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust will receive $4.4 million to build a 30.000 square foot building called “the Forward Center” to house up to 60 new technology companies, and a manufacturing company that researches and develops prototype activity of neuro-modulator medical devices. • University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez will receive $500.000 to design and conduct capacity development workshops, providing specialized development assistance. • The Puerto Rico Foundation will receive a grant of $5,580,000 to support the recovery efforts of towns and cities devastated by the Hurricanes Irma and Maria. General Consumer Price Index 10 • General index of consumer prices (IPC) recorded the figure of 119,923 points, which reflected an increase of 1.7 percent, compared to the same month of 2017. • Compared with July 2017, the behavior in the infla- tion levels of major groups showed that the largest inflationary increase was in the transportation group with 4.2 percent. • The main group that reflected the most significant drop in its price level was clothing with 1.2 percent.