Governor visits facilities

11/14/2009

Governor Luis Fortuño and Felipe Perez.

On Friday, November 13, 2009, the governor of Puerto Rico, Luis G. Fortuño, visited the main emblematic facilities of the Mayagüez 2010 XXI Central American and Caribbean Games and announced a seven-figure additional assignment of funds for infrastructure projects, particularly in the area of transportation. The Governor visited the Central American an the Caribbean Stadium, the Isidoro García Park and the Central American and the Caribbean Village.

“One of the main initiatives of this administration is to make the Mayagüez 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games a reality; this event will spearhead our effort to promote Puerto Rico as a sports destination and a venue for high performance sports at an international level”, affirmed Fortuño.

He indicated that $150 million have already been injected, in addition to the $285 that have been invested, for the holding of this great event that will begin on July 17 of next year.

“Today we have verified that our plan of execution is being carried out to the letter and that we will be able to offer the necessary infrastructure in time for the holding of quality Central American and Caribbean Games”, he affirmed.Of the total amount announced by the Governor, $134.5 million correspond to transportation projects, including: construction of bridges, reasphalting of roads and transformation of roads into highways, for example. Meanwhile, the remaining $20 million shall be divided in the following manner: $3.4 million from Joint Resolution 323 signed by the Governor during his visit to Mayagüez; $2.6 million product of the amnesty in the payment of traffic fines; $5 million that were assigned under the Economic Stimulus Plan; a special assignment of $1.4 million from the Budget and Management Office; while the Government Development Bank granted a $7.5 million loan.

Fortuño made the tour with Henry Neumann, Secretary of Recreation and Sports, Humberto Marrero, director of the Infrastructure Financing Authority (AFI, acronym in Spanish), and José Guillermo-Rodríguez, Mayagüez Mayor. Furthermore, he was accompanied by Felipe Pérez-Grajales, president of the Mayagüez 2010 Board of Directors, Jorge Sosa, executive director of the Organizing Committee, Héctor Cardona, president of CACSO, David Bernier, president of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, among other officials.

“The visit from the Governor reiterates his great commitment with the holding of these Central American and Caribbean Games, Games that belong to all of Puerto Rico”, stated Pérez-Grajales while at the same time giving thanks for the support of the Mayagüez Mayor and the Director of AFI.

For his part, the Mayor highlighted the significant investment in the west area and thanked the Governor for his effort and commitment with the holding of the Games.

“Today we have seen a dream come true that will benefit this region with employment opportunities and will have a great economic impact in this area”, the Mayor pointed out.