Idaho Hispanic Chamber marks its first anniversary with national award — Focus

Though only a year old, the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been so successful in growth and visibility it has been honored with an award from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Idaho chapter has been named the 2008 Regional Small Chamber of the Year, and local representatives attended the USHCC 29th Annual National Convention & Business Expo Sept. 24-27 in Sacramento.
The local organization officially launched Sept. 20, 2007 with approximately 30 members. It now has 75 members, including corporations such as Zions and Wells Fargo banks (initial members), State Farm and Regence BlueShield insurance firms and others. It also has many small to medium-sized, Hispanic-owned business memberships.
IHCC Office Executive Assistant Xochitl Sierra said the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce fufills two primary needs: as a support entity for Hispanic entrepreneurs and as liaison between business and Latino clients and customers. Non-Hispanic businesses want to tap into the economic potential of the Latino population, according to Sierra.
Calling the Latino base an “economic power,” Sierra said, “We (IHCC) are a bridge from Anglo businesses to the Hispanic community, to build and improve relations.”
IHCC also helps bridge language barriers between the two populations. Sierra said there is a lot of help for entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs in the area, but so much of what is available is limited to English-only resources. IHCC is partnering with organizations such as the Small Business Development Center to help Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs write business plans, for instance.
Sierra said the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce wants to help Latinos establish “businesses that grow, and make them sustainable. We want to help them maintain their businesses in this economic climate.”
“Many Hispanic people have an entrepreneur set of mind,” Sierra said. She stresses it is in the best interest of Latino citizens, their communities and the state of Idaho to encourage their resourcefulness.
IHCC also works with the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. “Our goal is the same: to improve the lives of the Hispanic community for the good of the whole state and the nation,” said Sierra.
IHCC has 14 board members and an executive committee. Garden City businessman Lucio Prado is chairman of the board.
Three members of the Mexican Consulate recently visited Boise, working to establish an office in this area. Though the Hispanic Chamber cannot make an official comment, according to Sierra, she said she sees the consulate as another way to realize the importance of trade and commerce with Mexico.
She said the consulate is likely to open here early in December, and a hotline at (208) 343-6228 has been set up for anyone seeking more information.
Regarding immigration, Sierra said, “We are not working officially on the issue, but we support and embrace policy improving the situation for the Hispanic population.”
Sierra said a person’s background, race or ethnicity shouldn’t matter in the marketplace. “Business is an international language,” she said, “and we are speaking business.”