Local Redevelopment Authority for Roosevelt Roads Grant

This EDA investment funds the construction of a five-story building on the former Coast Guard Pier, Naval Station Roosevelt Roads to house the Marine Business, Research, and Innovation Research Center (MBRIC) in San Juan County, Puerto Rico.  The MBRIC will serve as the central hub to access specialized equipment and provide technical assistance to multiple partners to support ocean dependent and ag business in the development of new products and service for exporting.  Once completed, the project will assist the region with recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria and promote the commercialization and research of MAR/Sea Drugs, Open Water Aquaculture, Ocean Conservancy and predictive modeling and development, which will boost job creation in the area, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.

Bluetide will be responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of the facilities. The development of MBRIC is funded through a $16 million grant issued to the LRA in 2021 by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Along with Bluetide, the LRA’s determination is to operate the MBRIC as a hub, bringing together marine-related businesses and scientific knowledge. Ultimately, the center will work as an education, training and certification facility to foster marine-related technical skills, contributing to the 200 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). *

Formerly used for sugar cane cultivation and cattle grazing, Roosevelt Roads was a military installation since its acquisition and development by the Navy in the 1940s, until its closure in 2004. The property is a unique, rare resource, having been isolated from normal development trends since the beginning of the last century and situated along the foothills of El Yunque National Rainforest. Thus, it represents an interesting mix of natural ecological areas (where some 3,340 acres are under the care of the Conservation Trust), physical infrastructure, a major airfield with an 11,000-foot-long runway (under the care of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority), and waterfront development areas. *

*Source: Roosevelt Roads redevelopment authority issues RFP for marine research & innovation center (sanjuandailystar.com)