Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel wrote the Governor-elect of Puerto Rico on November 8, 2024, regarding policies to help Puerto Rico become an offshoring and distribution hub.
Text of the letter:
Dear Governor-elect González-Colón:
I would like to congratulate you on your election as the next Governor of Puerto Rico.
It was pleasure meeting with you in in your Washington, DC office last month. Since our conversation on incentivizing manufacturing and supply chain distribution policies for Puerto Rico, I wanted to update you on some of my activities. Specifically, I have sent a letter to President Biden articulating the need for these policies and incentives (see attached).
As we discussed, encouraging successful nearshoring in Puerto Rico would support the island’s economy but also strengthen U.S. supply chains, making them more resilient and efficient. With the right policies and incentives, significant investment can be attracted to Puerto Rico, benefiting both businesses and local communities and strengthening the U.S. economy as a whole. Investing in domestic manufacturing reduces our reliance on foreign supply chains, enhances national security, and supports local economies. By fostering a thriving manufacturing environment in Puerto Rico and creating incentives for the storage and retail distribution of goods, we can tap into a skilled workforce eager for opportunities and innovation.
Building strong, U.S. focused manufacturing and supply chain sectors is a shared priority for everyone I know in public service. I am confident we can identify and implement policies that will achieve these goals. I look forward to continuing to work with you throughout the remainder of your term in the House of Representatives and when you assume your duties as Governor.
Sincerely,
Carl W. Bentzel
Commissioner
Federal Maritime Commission
Carl W. Bentzel is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.