Giving Back to the Community

Philanthropy Projects

To date, Emerald Coast Property Investments (ECPI) has donated over USD $2 million in contributions to the village of San Pancho. In 2007, in partnership with the mayor and other city and county officials, ECPI will complete improvements to the schools, streetscape and plaza, and town water system. Future philanthropy will be enhanced by the formal creation of the Emerald Coast Foundation (EC Foundation, A.C.).

As residents of San Pancho, we at ECPI are active participants in the life of our town. It is our ongoing purpose, through leadership and by example, to create a culture of responsible development. We are deeply committed to the long-term health of our community. This means preserving the environment for future generations and making sure prosperity includes as many people as possible, from the kindergarten all the way to the senior center.

Philanthropy Awards

View translation of newspaper article.DOC

Education

Jardin de Niños

The Jardin de Niños (San Pancho Kindergarten) is a wonderful institution in the heart of town. After being approached by the school’s director we were prepared to respond with a USD $20,000 remodel of the bathrooms and outdoor performance area. The toilet facilities (shared by students and teachers) consisted of two adult-size toilets in bad repair. We replaced these with separate facilities: three child-sized toilets for girls, three for boys, and two adult facilities. ECPI also designed and built an outdoor performance stage with audience seating, as part of an overall site and landscaping facelift.

Before:

During Construction:

As we were working on these projects, it became apparent that the existing buildings were in worse repair than anticipated. To provide an adequate facility for the children was going to require remodeling or replacing all the existing structures. Unfortunately, we had only a six week school break in which to design and construct an entirely new school.

Eventually a USD $20,000 budget became a USD $200,000 project. All the classrooms were replaced or remodeled. We built a fully furnished principal's office and teacher's lounge, complete with locking file cabinets and a new computer system. Handicap access was provided throughout, as well as new desks and chalkboards. ECPI also provided new school uniforms (this helps support low-income families, who can be stretched thin to afford school dress clothes).

After:

Existing play structures and toys were replaced by child-safety certified products, including a new climbing wall. ECPI also built safe storage facilities, with locks, for cleaning supplies and other chemicals, gardening tools, and other hazards. Safety was also enhanced by a new perimeter wall, which is decorated with a lovely mural. We removed debris and completely rebuilt the grounds with new walkways, sod, and extensive landscaping.

This project was strongly endorsed by Dr. Jaime Cuevas, Bahía de Banderas County Commissioner. And yes, we finished the project in six weeks!

Computer Sciences Labs

ECPI has built a computer sciences lab, with 25 stations, for the local secondary school, complete with internet access and printers. Previously, there were only two computers that all 60 students had to share. Reflecting our partnership with the school, ECPI sponsored the annual graduation ceremony. We also provided a new computer sciences center for the local primary school.

Other Projects

We are grateful to be able to contribute to the EntreAmigos Community Library, the only lending library in San Pancho. The library also serves as a bi-cultural community center and a children's activity and learning center. We provided scholarships for the EntreAmigos 2006 and 2007 Summer Camp for children.

ECPI is a major contributor to the local Montessori School, including the recent provisioning of a new roof.

Municipal Infrastructure

Rather than creating independent infrastructure for new developments, ECPI works closely with local government and utility officials to make sure that all new development benefits existing municipal systems.

Water System

Water-Utility-Master-Plan.PDF

Water-Utility-Plan.PDF

ECPI has donated funding and expertise to obtain water sustainability in the area, including water studies, well rehabilitation, new well construction, a secretary for the new water meter program, and seed money to install the first 200 water meters in San Pancho. In short, ECPI has contributed a complete overhaul of the town’s water infrastructure. In addition, we have provided the engineering and design for the replacement of the water main and services sufficient for the next fifteen years of development (15,000 people), as per the County of Bahía de Banderas Master Plan and demographic studies by the State of Nayarit.

Boardwalk Remodel

On August 22, 2007, ECPI began a complete reconstruction of the central park and boardwalk (malecon) that hosts the statue of our patron saint, San Francisco de Asís (Saint Francis of Assisi). The patio has been extended seven meters and refinished with beautiful pink pavers accented by white sandstone and black sea stone. The project was completed and dedicated on October 4, 2007, the birthday of Saint Francis.

Ground-Breaking and Construction

Dedication Ceremony

Finished Boardwalk

We have built new planters filled with extensive botanical landscapes, including a showcase of 20 varieties of local palm tree. Ongoing maintenance is being provided by ECPI crews. The planters will also help preserve the lovely existing trees. Wrought iron colonial-style park benches beautifully compliment the lampposts.

ECPI has commissioned a large mural for the malecon that provides a pictorial representation of the history of San Pancho from 1933 to the present. The remodel also includes bathhouses and changing rooms, with two showers each, for men and women (with a 5000-liter water storage tank).

In 2008 construction will start on a complete overhaul of the entire main boulevard (Avenida del Tercer Mundo). ECPI is spearheading this project which will include repaving the street with beautiful sandstone pavers and lining it with lampposts. Also included will be an upgrade and beautification of the bridge, including new lighting.

Public Safety Services

ECPI recently donated a fire truck to complement the new San Pancho fire station located on the west side of the plaza next to the new civil protection offices. This four-wheel-drive vehicle is equipped with a 10,000-liter holding tank and is outfitted with a water cannon having a 50-meter reach. It is capable of servicing homes anywhere in San Pancho, including jungle and mountain areas.

With these changes, our fire brigade will now be responsible for all emergency calls between Sayulita and Lo de Marcos (until now we have relied on the Bucerias fire station). This will provide San Pancho with a top-notch emergency response team and cut the response time for San Pancho residents from 60 minutes to 15 minutes.

Life Guard and Public Safety Station

Emerald Coast Foundation has formed a partnership with Civil Protection (fire and rescue) and the Department of Tourism to provide San Pancho with its first permanent life guard station. Outside of resort and hotel areas, few communities in the local States of Nayarit and Jalisco have life guards overseeing the beaches.

This public-private partnership will also provide and staff an ambulance and rescue truck. Three certified lifeguards will man the new life guard tower, equipped with radios, buoys, vests, and medical supplies. The life guard tower will also house storage and first-response quarters, and will outfit an onsite 4x4 ATV for rapid deployment in emergencies.

The joint venture will also focus on debris removal and beautification. This maintenance and public safety umbrella will extend to the neighboring towns of Sayulita and Lo de Marcos.

A tourist information center will be established to promote educational, cultural, and social events to further engage community involvement in these beautification and public safety efforts.

Community Services

Community Center and Garden Coming Soon!

Nursery and Botanical Education Center

The Emerald Coast Nursery plant nursery (vivero) provides landscaping materials for public improvements and serves as a botanical and agricultural training center. In cooperation with local schools, the nursery will support botanical and ecological projects and provide entrepreneurial skills training for local students.

We are dedicating 25% of the rental income from the nursery to Señoras del Campo, a philanthropy providing support to single mothers and the widows of agricultural workers. After ten years, ownership of the nursery will be vested in the ejido (community land trust) to serve as a sustainable source of agricultural income.

Other Community Projects

• ECPI is taking bids on a new bell tower for the church, to be constructed in 2008.
• ECPI contributes to all village events and fiestas.
• ECPI instituted the San Pancho Limpio campaign (San Pancho Beautification) and supports it with 10 full-time, local staff dedicated to a cleaner, better San Pancho, instigating community pride and ownership.
• ECPI is an ongoing contributor to the Third Stage of Life Center (senior center).

Other Philanthropic Support

We encourage ECPI investors to contribute 2% of their profits to local charitable organizations.