Redefining Community Development in Puerto Rico

Since 1998, the Center for Support of Business Development and Community Employment (C.A.D.E.E.C.) has provided support services to small business owners in Humacao, Puerto Rico, and the southeastern region, supporting over 1,000 individuals and fostering the creation of 95 businesses. Our mission is to drive community economic development by addressing the root causes of poverty, empowering individuals to succeed, and creating sustainable opportunities that improve the quality of life in their communities, making these communities better places to live and thrive.

Through our incubator, we provide micro-entrepreneurs with essential tools-training, technical assistance, and personalized support to help them thrive in their ventures. Over the past three years alone, C.A.D.E.E.C. has trained 362 participants, 301 of whom have successfully completed our Business Incubator and Accelerator programs, resulting in the establishment of over 29 new businesses and community micro-entrepreneurs. Our incubation model is certified by the National Business Incubation Association and has garnered international recognition.

The C.A.D.E.E.C. program offers Incubation and Post-Incubation services for businesses, which are excellent tools to support the launch of new companies and provide the necessary assistance for their growth. Our program begins collaborating with new projects from their inception, offering training, advice, and guidance to ensure that your future business's entry into the market is successful.

One of our most notable accomplishments was surpassing our projected goals for participant enrollment. We initially aimed for 120 registrations, but in our third year, we exceeded that with 218 registrations. A total of 172 participants and businesses began our training programs, with 70 completing them successfully, achieving 211% of our targeted impact. Additionally, through virtual business workshops during the 2023-2024 period, we expanded our reach to 48 municipalities across the island, impacting 185 sectors. We proudly report an 86% retention rate in our virtual Incubation and Acceleration workshops. Out of 172 participants, 148 successfully completed the program. The ripple effect of our work reached 562 individuals across family networks, further amplifying the impact of our efforts.

For nearly 40 years, P.E.C.E.S., Inc. has stood at the forefront of economic empowerment in the East coast of Puerto Rico, implementing transformative projects that uplift communities and create sustainable livelihoods. Thanks to the trust and unwavering support of our donors and partners, we continue to solidify our role in promoting economic sustainability for hundreds of families, year after year.