Friday, March 9, 2018

New 'NY Stands with Puerto Rico Recovery and Rebuilding' Initiative Launched

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced a new multi-pronged initiative to help Puerto Rico build back stronger and more resilient in the wake of devastating hurricanes that struck the island last fall. In April, New York will deploy a multi-disciplinary Tactical Assessment Team to help develop a near-term rebuilding roadmap to assist Puerto Rican communities in need. In June, once the roadmap is complete, New York will mobilize teams of SUNY and CUNY students, and skilled workers from the construction and building trades, to work side-by-side with non-profit organizations already on the ground. This effort aims to enhance Puerto Rico's rebuilding capacity and to establish a job training program for the local workforce. To lay the groundwork for hundreds of student volunteers, a SUNY Maritime team will deploy in late May to connect with non-profits and transport supplies.

"Since day one, the outpouring of support from New Yorkers for the people of Puerto Rico has been unbelievable," Governor Cuomo said. "New York stood up for the island in a big way, sending personnel, volunteers, and millions of supplies and donations to the island - and with the launch of this latest effort, we will deliver the workforce needed to build back homes and communities across the island stronger than ever before."

"After convening today's roundtable and announcing Governor Cuomo's long-term commitment to the recovery of Puerto Rico, I could not be prouder to live in a State that does not turn its back on our brothers and sisters in their time of need," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Our NY Promise to Puerto Rico is this - we will help them rebuild. We will help them recover. We will help them create resiliency. And we will never, ever forget. Unlike the federal government, whose approach is little more than throwing paper towels into a crowd, today we announced a new sustained initiative that will have a lasting impact."

As part of the initial phase of this effort, officials from New York will join with members of the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council and the Building Trades Employers' Association of New York City to comprise a Tactical Assessment Team that will be deployed to the island in mid-April. Once on the ground, the team will work with the Puerto Rican government and non-profit organizations to develop a roadmap for rebuilding a stronger and more resilient island. The team will develop a detailed work plan by: conducting site visits across the island; meeting with smaller, grassroots non-profits already working on the ground; and working with Governor Rossello's team, unions, and members of workforce development initiatives.

Click here for the full announcement. If not posted, check several minutes later.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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