SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Monday laid out his plan to strengthen Puerto Rico's ailing economy and reduce a high rate of unemployment in the U.S. Caribbean territory.
Taking time away from preparing for Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, Obama's campaign vowed to create a task force to boost economic development and create jobs on the Caribbean island, which has a per capita income about half that of the poorest U.S. states.
Obama's plan would provide incentives to encourage U.S. businesses to generate jobs in Puerto Rico, which has 63 delegate votes and will hold one of the last primaries — on June 1 — followed only by Montana and South Dakota.
He also wants to encourage investment in rural Puerto Rico and explore programs to develop renewable energy to help charge the local economy, which has entered its third consecutive year of recession. The campaign statement claims Obama, born and raised in Hawaii, understands the unique concerns of an island economy.
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