Our Economic Empowerment Work in Puerto Rico

A Vehicle to Support Small Businesses

Following Hurricane Maria, HF became acutely aware of the losses and vulnerability of small businesses. They were defenseless against the catastrophic damage created by the hurricane and had little to no access to the disaster aid federal loan programs for businesses. Evaluating how to best support these entrepreneurs and next generation models for climate resilient businesses, HF was excited about the opportunity to innovate by offering a new concept that would bridge the need for resiliency and flexibility simultaneously.

The PopTiendas Initiative emerged as a vehicle to help these small businesses and nonprofit organizations restart their work and revitalize economic recovery efforts for a crucial business sector. With the goal of boosting the entrepreneurial spirit in Puerto Rico, HF granted 30 PopTiendas to micro-entrepreneurs who lost businesses or wished to start a new business on the island. With additional support from The Coca-Cola Company, Prudential Financial, the Ford Foundation, and other donors, HF PopTiendas provided these micro-entrepreneurs with self-sufficient, custom-built “pop-up” stores made from locally sourced steel containers with the capacity to operate “off the grid” and equipped with solar panels, a generator, a rainwater catchment system, water storage tank, ventilation systems, and customized decoration.

Applicants selected for the project received additional business and entrepreneurial capacity building, technical assistance and support on permitting processes, siting, design, and operations of the PopTiendas systems. To date, this ongoing project has created over 65 jobs with more than $1 million in additional leveraged investments in the local economy through local distributors, vendors, materials, and labor for production. With businesses ranging from coffee shops to eateries to outdoor recreation, the PopTiendas are thriving businesses stretching across all four corners of the island.