Hispanic-serving Institutions Assisting Communities Program
FY 1999 Awardees

The University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus will receive a Hispanic-serving Institutions Assisting Communities Program grant of $399,557 to acquire and rehabilitate a building that will serve as a Community-Building Information Technology Center for the entire Rio Piedras community. The area to be served by this facility has approximately 9,000 primarily very low-, low-, and moderate-income residents.

The Center will provide five kinds of services: Access to University library resources, especially information technology resources; Information on safe housing options and resources for training and job opportunities; Technical assistance to business owners and potential owners through job readiness and microloan programs; Training for small businesses on improvement and expansion; and Architectural and design services for low-income housing and business development.

While the grant will cover acquisition and rehabilitation costs, most of the services the Center will offer will be provided through matching funds from the University's local government partners as part of their financial commitment to the Center and the people of Rio Piedras.

Contacts: Consuelo Figueras or Ada Myrian Felicie¢, 787-767-0720

Content Archived: January 20, 2009