November Advisory Board Meeting

Summary:

The discussion centered on refining a key document and preparing for an upcoming meeting with a resiliency association to gather insights on Puerto Rico's development. Gail Nolan CEcD confirmed the timeline for the document's presentation and expressed optimism about the meeting's turnout, while Jim Beddows shared insights from his modeling work on Fortune 500 and Global 2000 corporations that could influence decision-making strategies. Jose provided an overview of the recent Caribbean Space Summit, which successfully garnered support for the proposed launch site and highlighted the integration of biopharma and advanced manufacturing with the space sector.

Gail highlighted the FAA's establishment of a no-fly zone near Ceiba, indicating federal interest in Puerto Rico, and discussed the deployment of additional troops to the Caribbean Basin. The conversation also touched on the DOW sandbox proposal aimed at leveraging Puerto Rico's unique attributes for communications technologies. A conference room participant emphasized the administration's focus on applied research for resiliency, particularly through initiatives like ReCharge, which aims to enhance power and communication systems. The collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers was noted as a significant step towards creating a replicable resiliency model.

The meeting also addressed the VIPER consortium's initiative to revitalize the construction cluster in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, aiming to utilize untapped FEMA funding. Arnaldo emphasized the need for collaboration across critical infrastructure sectors to drive economic growth. Ingrid Padilla raised concerns about UPRM's lack of representation in the infrastructure cluster, prompting discussions on facilitating their involvement. The need for a coherent pipeline of initiatives to effectively engage political leadership and maximize funding potential was a recurring theme, with plans for future conferences to explore collaborative opportunities.

Chapters & Topics:

Updates and Introductions

The importance of refining a whitepaper document defining Puerto Rico's role as a communication technology sandbox was emphasized, with plans to provide updates after a meeting with a resiliency association. Gail Nolan CEcD confirmed the timeline for the document's presentation and acknowledged the ongoing developments in Puerto Rico. She also welcomed participants and noted the challenges posed by daylight savings time in meeting notification.

Caribbean Space Summit Updates

Jose reported on the Caribbean Space Summit, which took place at the Sheraton Hotel and included 140 attendees, with a significant portion being local government officials. The event aimed to inform the local community about the space economy, resulting in a shift in support for the proposed launch site. Notable participants included companies like Intuit Machines and Phoenix Space, as well as Secretary Sebastián Negrón, who delivered a positive message regarding the government's commitment to the space industry.

* Updates and outcomes from the Caribbean Space Summit.

Progress on Spaceport Development in Puerto Rico

Jose Molina shared that companies are impressed with the talent in Puerto Rico and are considering establishing offices on the island. Gail Nolan CEcD praised the event's focus on resiliency and advanced technologies, and mentioned plans to publish notes and a report on the spaceport development. The mayor of Ceiba expressed strong support for the spaceport project, which is seen as a significant step forward.

Next Steps and Strategic Opportunities for Puerto Rico

Gail Nolan CEcD emphasized the significance of the FAA's establishment of a no-fly zone near Ceiba, indicating federal interest in Puerto Rico. Arnaldo Soto Jr mentioned the presence of the Gerald Ford Aircraft Carrier at Roosevelt Roads, linking it to the no-fly zone and military hardware in the area. Nolan also introduced the DOW sandbox proposal aimed at positioning Puerto Rico as a hub for communications technologies.

Research Priorities and Resiliency Initiatives in Puerto Rico

The importance of addressing research priorities related to resiliency in Puerto Rico was highlighted by a conference room participant, particularly through the ReCharge project aimed at enhancing power and communication systems. Gail Nolan CEcD mentioned the collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers to repurpose a previously unfunded proposal for energy efficiency upgrades at military facilities. This initiative aims to not only support military needs but also benefit surrounding communities.

EDA Proposal and Puerto Rico's Role in Communications Innovation

Gail Nolan CEcD outlined a pilot project proposal involving the distribution of upgraded weather stations with LiDAR capabilities to schools in Puerto Rico. This initiative aims to collect data on particulates affecting new communication systems, with NOAA as a potential partner. Martin Altman emphasized the opportunity for Puerto Rico to serve as a pilot program for broader national and global initiatives in technology and communications.

* Discussion on the EDA proposal and funding opportunities.

Discussion on Data Integration and Software Development

Bob Brumley discussed the necessity of a consistent management channel for LaserLight's operations across various regions, noting that the data collected will be crucial for understanding weather patterns. He pointed out the potential for software development to create solutions for issues like turbulence, which he experienced firsthand. Martin Altman expressed interest in further discussions on this topic.

* The importance of software development and technology infrastructure in Puerto Rico's growth.

Viper Consortium and Infrastructure Initiatives

Arnaldo outlined the efforts of the Viper consortium to link Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in addressing infrastructure challenges following Hurricane Maria. He noted that only about 5% of the $100 billion in FEMA funding has been utilized, stressing the urgency to expedite government actions to prevent loss of funding. Key focus areas include energy, water management, transportation, and environmental compliance.

Infrastructure Collaboration and Opportunities

Ingrid Padilla emphasized the need for UPRM's involvement in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Infrastructure Cluster, particularly from the civil engineering team. Arnaldo Soto Jr acknowledged the absence of a representative in the cluster but indicated a willingness to explore potential membership. Gail Nolan CEcD supported UPRM's role in the committee.

* Collaboration between various stakeholders for infrastructure development.

Action Items:

* The conference room participant will call Gail Nolan after meeting with the resiliency association to provide an update and discuss tightening up the document for presentation.

* Jose Molina will share a full report on the Caribbean Space Summit once the draft is vetted and ready for public domain.

* Gail Nolan will work with Jose Molina to publish notes from the resiliency discussion on the organization's webpage and blog.

* Martin Altman will send out an update regarding the EDA proposal and the timeline for submission to the group.

* Gail Nolan will send out an email to connect Bob Brumley and Martin Altman for further discussions on software development and collaboration.