BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
The Starke City Commission has approved a resolution to establish a sister city relationship with Próspera, a special economic zone (Zede) in Honduras.
This decision was made Oct. 21, following Mayor Andy Redding’s recent visit to a country whose citizens are trying to define their future through economic development.
“Some of the things that I learned about in Honduras is the strong desire for the Hondurans. They want to build their own government. They want to see prosperity there,” he said. “This relationship, I feel, will make us all stronger. It will make us more well-rounded and more versatile. We can learn from them, and they can learn from us.”
A delegation from Próspera, including Mayor Jorge Colindres and attorney Arturo Zacapa, elaborated on the economic potential the Zede offers. Colindres described Próspera as a “public trust” dedicated to the principles of “life, liberty, and property,” emphasizing its alignment with the foundational concepts that guide the United States.
Próspera operates under a common law legal system similar to that of the U.S., designed to facilitate American investment in Honduras. Colindres stated, He highlighted that the Zede offers protective measures for foreign investments through its autonomy, making it an attractive location for U.S. businesses.
The delegation shared impressive statistics, noting that Próspera has already attracted over $200 million in U.S. investments, which have created around 3,500 jobs across various sectors. Colindres showcased the zone’s focus on economic development, citing opportunities in tourism for collaboration with Starke.
In response to inquiries from the commission, Colindres detailed Próspera’s operational autonomy from the Honduran national government. He explained that the Honduran Congress amended the constitution to establish Zones for Employment and Economic Development (Zedes), granting these areas a high degree of independence to encourage economic growth.
Mayor Redding added, “They want their own liberties. They appreciate a lot of the things that we have here in the U.S. and the strengths that we have.”
Following the presentation, the commission moved to formalize the sister city relationship through a resolution that outlined a commitment to promote mutual understanding, cultural exchange and cooperative development between Starke and Próspera. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of four to zero.
