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HCC History:
The HCC was organized in March,
1997 after deciding that the two existing Hispanic Chambers in Yakima County
at that time, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Lower Yakima Valley (Founded 1988) and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Yakima (Founded 1992) could not justify, nor support a full time office or staffing. The HCC of Lower Valley
was started by Jose Morales in response to the need to allow Hispanic Businesses to be participants in Cinco de Mayo events
in downtown Sunnyside. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Yakima (City of Yakima)
was founded by Minerva Villarreal of the HCC of Washington State and Luz Bazan Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Washington
Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (WAME) now named Rural Community Development Resources.
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Accomplishments To Date:
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Set up Revolving Loan Fund for small businesses: Through the efforts of the HCC, WAME
was able to successfully compete for a State Grant to start a Micro lending Revolving Loan Fund to help new and emerging businesses
get micro loans to help them get started. Presently over $750,000 of loan capital has been made available to small businesses,
primarily Hispanic/Latino start up businesses
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Organized the biggest Cinco de Mayo festival in downtown Yakima with many small businesses participating
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Provided the information and support to help
Mobile Taco Vendors to be able to park in areas approved
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Exercised its position to promote Hispanics
representatives for the Workforce Development Board
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Defended rights of Hispanic residents when
harassed by a local bank employee and had an apology as well as compensation for depositor
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Provided legal support to a Lower Valley entertainment
business who was being denied a liquor license for reasons that appeared to be discriminatory
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Stopped the city council from implementing
more restrictive laws in regard to mobile taco vendors
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Developed a Hispanic/Latino Business
Directory and Web Page with the assistance of the USDA Forestry Service. The Directory will serve as a tool for networking
for Hispanic Business and non businesses. In addition, it will provide the opportunity to be able to access more local state
and federal contracts for Hispanic businesses
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