Las Galeras- A branch of the Baniter Banks has opened recently in the center of the village. With business continuing to grow in the small village, the branch is a welcome improvement.
 Also opening recently are several more small tourist accommodations located in the village and away from the oceanfront. A large tract of oceanfront property between Las Galeras main beach and the Casa Marina Resort was purchased earlier this year by a group of American investors for several million dollars and it was reported to Samana Net that a large all-inclusive resort is planned for the site. Construction continues on several other area apartment and private home projects.

 Parcel 21: By the time this update appears in Samana Net, the more than 5 years long, legal challenge to the validity of the sale of much of Parcel 21 (oceanfront Las Galeras) by a Dominican family patriarch some 15 years ago to a French developer should be decided. The court has indicated the ruling will be forthcoming in January, '02. With over 25 mostly-foreign, property owners in the large parcel, this decision has been anxiously awaited with much speculation occupying many local conversations. Work has started and then been legally stopped on one project within the parcel at least 10 times in the last year.


 A large, almost-finished private home also in Parcel 21 has had its construction stopped for several months now. Look for the court's decision to be reported in the Samana.Net Forum and then later in the next Update.
January 2002