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.

• 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

• Organized the biggest Cinco de Mayo festival in downtown Yakima with many small businesses participating

• Provided the information and support to help Mobile Taco Vendors to be able to park in areas approved

• Exercised its position to promote Hispanics representatives for the Workforce Development Board

• Defended rights of Hispanic residents when harassed by a local bank employee and had an apology as well as compensation for depositor

• Provided legal support to a Lower Valley entertainment business who was being denied a liquor license for reasons that appeared to be discriminatory

• Stopped the city council from implementing more restrictive laws in regard to mobile taco vendors

• 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