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Jun
26
Recession? says Who?
Posted by Editor | June 26, 2009 | Categories: Economic Development, Local Business News | 6 Comments
You would never know there was a recession in Puerto Viejo with the number of projects currently underway. And on top of all the building, they are finally making progress in fixing the roads. Rumor has it that they are hoping to complete the pavment between Hone Creek and Puerto Viejo with final black top in September and October, as that is when there is the least chance of rain.
 New Palà store in Hone Creek on opening day.  Local artisan David at Muebles Rustico across the street from the new Palà  The new Banco Naciónal bank building |
Today was the opening of the new Palà in Hone Creek. They are known throughout Central America as the discount grocer. Controlling interest of Palà along with 4 other Central American supermarket chains were bought by Walmart a few years back. If today’s line ups and traffic jam to get in are any indication, it will be a huge success.
David, local furniture builder and wood artist who works right across the street, seemed happy with the opening. It seemed more important to him that there would be more women to watch than the opportunity to sell more furniture.
Hone Creek was also just graced with a new office for the local water company. It seems that Hone creek will be the central town for most supporting services to the area. Large construction material provider, Colono is located right in the center and opened just over 1 year ago.
The new Banco National Building which is right next door to the Bank of Costa Rica has just been completed and is ready for occupancy. In addition to the bank there will be some offices and retail also in the buillding.
As if one new Supermarket was not enough, developers are wasting no time in constructing a new Mega-Super right in downtown Puerto Viejo. Prices will not be as low as discounter PalÃ, but will provide some competition for the current markets in town whose prices often seem aimed at tourists, making living and shopping in the community difficult for locals. This can be a real hardship for the locals, when typical salaries run $400- $500 month.
And finally, a gas station. Just down from the new Palà is a new gas station just going in. It should be ready in a couple months. Right now, the closest one is in Penshurt, 22 kms away, so advance planning and wasted fuel is required for a fill-up. Local sources say it will have the same owner as the station in Penshurt.
Not all are thrilled by all these displays of capitalism, as the lively debate on the Talamanca News on previous development news has proven.
 New gas station building site, Hone Creek. |
 New Mega Super site, Puerto Viejo. |
Comments
6 Comments so far
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This is great because it will save money for all who actually live here and earn local salaries. Kudos to the people who believe in the area enough to make the investments especially in these hard economic times.
Where have all the hippies gone?
Who could imagine that not too long ago when they were first paving the road there was people lying in the middle of the road to try and stop it.
Now, there have been huge protests and actions to try and get them to pave it.
Interesting… the development all seems directed at people that live in the area. Most (that i have talked to) seem to welcome it.
However, I am sure there will be many foreigners that live in the area who will feel their piece of paradise is being destroyed and have never entertained the thought about the cost for locals buying rice and beans or whether the local community is in favor of this development.
I am beginning to hear rumors that the new development , road work , and water is due to the re-emergence of the marina project which has been kept very quiet . Any body know anything about this ?
I heard about big resort plans in Hone Creek.
And the story repeats… another pice of paradise discover and…
rumours, rumours… a favourite passtime in this corner of the world…I have heard them all before and if even half of all these rumours were true we would have turned into Acapulco a long time ago…things around here happens very very slowly so don’t worry you wont wake up tomorrow surrounded condotowers… and even so the sun will still rise in the east and set in the west so don’t get your knickers in a twist.
Thanks satellite for reporting on facts.