Alajuela Efforts Pay Off In New Investment

A campaign by municipal leaders in Alajuela, northwest of San José, to attract investment, has helped draw in at least 15 national and foreign businesses since it was launched in January.

Tubing company Durman Esquivel, a $4.5 million warehouse complex and El Coyol Industrial Park, which will house four or five businesses, are among the enterprises setting up shop in the area, the daily La Nación reported this week – and other companies such as Wal-Mart Costa Rica have plans to expand in Alajuela.

Among its attractions for investors, Alajuela boasts Juan Santamaría International Airport; roads in good condition with less traffic than in San José; convenient location en route from San José to the Pacific port of Caldera; and plenty of room for construction, according to the daily.

Municipal leaders, determined to be proactive in seeking such investment, conducted a study of Alajuela’s competitive benefits as a tourism or business destination and began meeting with business executives to present the results of the study and a video about the city. They also took steps to speed up the process for obtaining construction and operation permits (TT, Jan. 16).