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'It's Where Our Values Are': Wave Of Optimism Means More Puerto Ricans Are Staying Put

Despite a financial crisis and a lagging economy, there’s something new in the air in some parts of the island — optimism.

In Puerto Rico, despite a financial crisis and a lagging economy, there’s something new in the air in some parts of the island — optimism.

Over the last decade, nearly a half million Puerto Ricans have left the island, most moving to the U.S. mainland. But there’s a growing number of young professionals who believe their future is on the island.

You find them opening restaurants and management consulting firms, or running schools and nonprofits. In San Juan, nearly

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