La Prensa Online (English) via The Miami Herald
La Prensa Online (English) via The Miami Herald, May 17,
2008
Howard project nearing start date.
The development of the former Howard Air Force Base is expected
to begin in earnest in two months or so as the master plan for the
project starts to become a reality. More than 300 people are
already working at the site, according to developer London &
Regional Panama, including engineers, lawyers, accountants and
architects developing the master plan as well as technicians
conducting field studies for the environmental impact assessments
required for the project.
In July, the construction of infrastructure is expected to
start, boosting the number of workers to more than 1,000. L&R
Panama General Manager Henry Kardonski said that a total of $60
million will be invested in the site in the next two years. Much of
that money will be spent on infrastructure, such as improving roads
and installing utilities such as telecommunications, water and
power lines.
The former military installation is being heavily promoted both
in Panama and abroad as a commercial center that will offer
companies locating there substantial tax incentives as well as
access to modern facilities, including an airport. Kardonski said
four companies -- a multinational, a processing plant and two
logistics firms -- have already signed letters of intent with
L&R to locate in Howard. The manager declined to name them
because the final details of the agreements are still being worked
out.
These companies will join Dell and Singapore Aerospace
Technologies, the former base's two current occupants. Kardonski
said that L&R has contacted 150 other companies, and many have
shown more than a passing interest in relocating to Howard. Many of
them are from the U.S., Europe and Venezuela, and cite the tax
breaks as the prime reason for considering a move to the base.
The 1,400 hectare site will not only house businesses, but
a residential project, a resort and golf course and amenities such
as a shopping center and restaurants. "We're going to have a
complete city with first-world standards," said Edgar Hernández,
the project's director of infrastructure. While concerns have been
raised about other major projects, such as the expansion of the
Panama Canal, making it hard for L&R to obtain laborers or
materials for the project, Hernández said that long-term deals are
being worked out to ensure the project will not be hampered.
The Miami Herald