Santa Elena Expo to Revive Dying Businesses in Town 

We have told you about the businesses in Santa Elena that took a significant hit on their income following the closure of Hawksworth Bridge for renovation four months ago. Since then, several initiatives have been undertaken to bring business back to the area while the bridge remains closed. The low-lying bridge has been made a two-way crossing to divert vehicular traffic to the area. Additionally, a group of business owners have since established the Santa Elena Business Association. This weekend, the association is hosting its very first event, a business expo. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Sandy’s Deli is opening its doors one last time on Friday. After three years, Sandra Rodriquez, the owner of the restaurant, has been forced to shut down. Sandy’s Deli operates along a one-hundred-and-fifty-meter stretch of the George Price Highway leading to Hawksworth Bridge. She says that business has been extremely slow since May when the bridge was closed for renovation.

 

 

 

Voice of: Sandra Rodriquez, Owner, Sandra’s Restaurant

“It has been very challenging because right now we can’t even eat meet the rent. Sometimes they have days where we only sell like a hundred dollars’ worth for the day. And, that does not even cover what we spend for the day to cover or buy the things them. So, it is very challenging and sometimes you have to pay the staff, your trade license and you cant come up with that right now since the bridge.”

 

 

 

The plight of businesses like Sandy’s Deli prompted other business owners to come together to form the Santa Elena Business Association.  It is led by Nolberto Rancharan.

 

Nolberto Rancharan, Chairman, SE Business Association

“Since the third of May I think the whole idea of the closure of the business was not thought out thoroughly. It was done for the traffic reasons in the business side of it put a dent on the businesses on this side of the road and that is what triggered the birth of the Santa Elena Business association.”

 

 

 

The first move was to request that the low-lying bridge which connects Santa Elena to San Ignacio be turned into a two-way bridge. Mayor Earl Trapp agreed and gave the order.

 

 

 

 

Earl Trapp, Mayor, SI/SE

“I have been very much concerned because of the different complaints from the businesses in that area that they have been nose diving. Hence the reason we decided to allow the low-lying bridge as a two-way especially for small vehicles, since it was only a one way before. There was no traffic int hat area so this allows traffic to that area. So, it has improved business but not to the extent that the businesses were expecting.”

 

 

With the new traffic regulation, motorists travelling from San Ignacio must now make a right turn off the low-lying bridge. This route takes them to an intersection near the Hawksworth bridge that diverts traffic into the affected areas. In addition, the association is planning a business expo for Saturday.

 

 

 

 

Almadelia Frutos, Vice-Chair, SE Business Association

“It is going to start from nine and up to five, everybody should leave at six. But we are expecting to see raffles, lots of foods, and lot of give away and these people coming they are coming to support us in Santa Elena since we have been down. So, we all have come together, and we are joining hands, and we are helping each other. And the business here from Mr. Max Studio to Santa Elena is going to be the area where the business expo is going to be happening, all the activities are going to be happening here. We want you to come out and bring your entire family.”

 

Timoteo Romero, Branch Manager, Tropigas Santa Elena

“It has been challenging number of months for us but thankfully we are resilient along the with Santa Elena Business Association conducting different types of programs for us to help boost up the business in the area. I think it has been a positive thing for us as well as the area we are in. We are actually panning some very nice surprises, so we invite everyone to come out. WE are having a ten-twenty sale so that is ten to twenty percent off on cash. But it is going to be pretty much more than that.”

 

 

There is, however, one issue that the business association stayed clear of addressing. That is the cost of police security for Saturday’s event. The association wrote to the Belize Police Department requesting four officers for the expo. They have since been informed that four is insufficient. As a result, the department is sending additional officers reportedly at a cost of over three thousand dollars. Mayor Trapp contends that the department needs to strike a compromise given the hard times these businesses are facing.

 

 

Earl Trapp

“This is something I have been very much concerned about. Hence the reason I have been saying to the relevant authorities, especially the police in San Ignacio and Santa Elena. We must learn to give and take. It is a collaboration between the community and police. Many times, the police would come to the community and say we don’t have these resources in our office. We need a microwave, flashlights, gas, vehicles, but if you need and expect the community will give you, you can give back to the community by providing security. For example, especially when you have an event for non-profit and something that has no alcohol sale. At the least the police should provide police free of charge to just patrol the area.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.