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DAMCA COTO AsaxiaiedPmss 10.000 Puerto Ricans are eligible and that lump-sum payments could total nearly $30 million. with overall individual payments ranging from $2,000 to *3.000. But legal advocates worry the conditions set by Puerto Rico’s govcrnmentwiil make it hard for many to apply, including that workers have to provide the required documents in person and that internet options are no& available. Mvocates are tfltng to reach mit to famifles that qualify, but worry they won’t reach many given that more than an esti mated 130.000 people fled Puer tol attn the two major hun ricanes hit the Caribbean in Sep4anber 2017. Natasha Lycia On Bannan, with the civil tights organization ladaijustice PRLDEF. said In a phone Interview that the exten 5km Is a recognition by the fed eral government that people aflècted by the hurricanes still need help. “Many remain unemployed and are suffering the impact of not having any Income,’ she said. ‘We have to continue to look for ways to help them.’ Paynwnts will be Issued relnac lively to cover weeks affected by the disasters for those who qual ify. The benefits extension also applies to those from the U.S. VIr gin Islands who remain jobless. Hurricane li’ma passed near JUN SHTh1lL sr. ThOMAS — On a bustling Tuesday morning along Main Street, browsers follow sfloppers into a corner store near Roth schfld Ftancis -Marker Square, us Spa Week at the Economic Enterprise Zone’s pop-up shop, a time to showcase localmakem of soaps. It, ammathenpy can dles. scrubs and hair care prod ucts. ‘Six producers were chosen to display their wares at Spa Week, according to Nadine Marchena, director of the EEZ. which falls under the Economic Development Authotit. Each day, am Mon day to Saturday. one of the six manufacturers sets up a demon-• stratton to offer customers a heaL “The idea of Spa Week is to engage in buying something local That you can bring into your home and have a specialty experience.” Marchena said, PRODUCTS, PAGE 2 SL John and & Thomas on &pL 6, 2017 as a Category 5 storm. Two weeks later. Maria passed south of SL Cmix and then hit Puerto RIco as a Category’4 storm, causing morn than an esti mated $100 billion in damage. The extension of another 26 weeks of benefits surpasses the additional 13 weeks offered to those affected by Hurricane Kat rina and the Sept. 11 terror attacks, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. inunbuax,jAiUAKYZ4,2U19,1W.19 750 - Economic Enterprise Zone spotlights pampering products H , I — - Jt Shimel Nadine Machena, director of the Economic Enterprise Zone under the EoonmT1 De’dopmenl Author4 says by the lime the products of local manufac turers appear on shelves in one of its pop-up shops, the businesses have evolved st the start-up stage. U.S. to help VI, PR..residents who lost jobs after storms• SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Ricans and Virgin Islanders who lost theirjobs alter hurricanes Maria and Irma can start applying for disaster miem ployment assistance after the U.S. doubled the 26 weeks of benefits, officials announced Wednesday. ‘The National Employment law Project estimates that more PRODUCTS:= FROM PAGE 1 Tuesday’s turn went to Linda Bailey. proprietor ofSOUl Creations Hair Salon and producer of Harmony Bath and Body flixiuds. Wide-bottomed jars with colorftil contents and white tops rest near a beaker of water and a towel. To experience the benefits ofan afo liaungsavb. Daile Invites patrons to enjoy a hand massage. The products were first devel oped for use in the salon 21 years ago, she said. SIx years later. Harmony emerged as a sale item and a revenue enhancer. Since then, the enterprise expanded to Include a manufac turing staff using locally grown Ingredients like lemongress. mint aloe, sage and marigold. Marketing the spa products has also given Bailey an opportunity to travel. Another local manufacturer on the wad In 2019 Is Muanoette Chinnay with Inline, JflNalladys Creations. At the pop-up store on Main Street. baskets of handmade soap are on display.When Chinnery takes her display to the NY Now Winter 2019 Market in Febrnaiy, wholesalers will get a glimpse of her nm line including soaps, bath and body products. hair products, wax melts and can dies. An attorney by profession. Chlnneiy used her background in Chemistry from the then-College of the Virgin islands to create small batch of personal care products she sells at local craft fairs, a hotel gift shop and bou tiques. Personal care products repre sent one segment of local manu facturing supported by EEZ. The idea of marketing them and other goods made in the Virgin Islands using a pop’up store arose in December. with help from a local commercial property owner and the Virgin Islands Council no the Earlier this month, the venue featured the works of local authors. Artists and batik design e& works hang on walls, and In easels placed around the space. And. In a mix of art and spa prod ucts. local shoppers swooped up shower curtains decorated with life-sized quadrille dancers. St. Croix artisans are also fea tured during Spa Week. Cultured Naturals, a line manufactured on The Big Island. will set up a demonstration table and greet visitors on Saturday between 9 am. and n000. Machena said participating manufacturers featured this week have already incorporated busi ness practices endorsed by the Economic Development Authority through programs geared towards local small businesses. The pop-up shop event is for EEZbuslnesses that have alreaxbr established themselves and want to explore new marketing ideas or test the viability of opening a store of their own. Marthena salt cq Ionu mol n lum aloTn qw txyr nr Eal1 am ua 60 p AlfVflNVç ‘AVOSHOHj