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Scotiabank grants $1.5M loan to build ‘green’ pharmacy in Río Grande

Scotiabank and Farmacia Sally executives sign off on the $1.5 million construction loan.

Local drugstore operator Farmacia Sally has secured a $1.5 million loan from Scotiabank de Puerto Rico to build a second location in Río Grande that will be completely “green,” company officials said.

Construction of the building is already underway, with plans to integrate the latest technologies to achieve a sustainable operation that is in harmony with the environment and nature, Scotiabank officials said upon announcing the approval of the loan.

“Part of our commitment to Puerto Rico is to watch out for its development and this is a good example of that,” said Scotiabank CEO Troy Wright. “This green building will benefit the people in various ways, while creating a [positive] impact on the environment in the way resources such as water and electricity will be used.”

Several elements that will benefit the environment have been taken into account as part of the construction of this pharmacy, including installing low energy-consumption devices to achieve greater efficiency in the use of water and renewable energy resources. At the center of the structure will be a large skylight, from where most of the illumination will stream in.

On the other hand, the main construction materials to be used are manufactured locally, such as basic building panels with thermal and sound insulation designed for roofing, floors and structural walls.

“We’re very excited to be part of this project and hope it will be a model for others,” Wright said.

Farmacia Sally currently operates a store in Luquillo.

Environmental, economic benefits
It has been widely reported that ‘green’ buildings not only represent a plus to the environment, but can bring huge economic benefits as well.

Companies adopting environmentally friendly routines will see drastic reductions in their operational costs, as water and electricity bills will undoubtedly decrease. The money saved can then be reinvested into the operation. Lower operational costs also boost property values, the environmental news source said.

It has also been said that green buildings with controlled temperature and increased natural lighting are conducive to better employee attendance levels and productivity. In turn, healthcare costs are reduced and sales improve, the online publication noted.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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