HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF WISCONSIN (HCCW)

Assisting the creation, growth and development of Hispanic and other small businesses; which encourages entrepreneurial enterprises; which supports job development; which serves as an economic catalyst.

2006 - A YEAR IN REVIEW

• Provided on-going and extensive business assistance to 113 start-up and expansions; assisted the minority certification and access to capital processes; responded to daily inquiries relating to small business development offering direction, guidance and resources.
   
• Maintained an official plan/spec review site on pending construction projects. Advocated on behalf of and regularly informed all HCCW member contractors/service providers of bid opportunities.
   
• Welcomed ShoreWest Realtors as our second floor tenant in our spectacular and permanent HCCW new headquarters.
   
• Entered into an exclusive networking alliance with The Networking Community LLC (TNC) to strengthen business networks & expand opportunity. Two (2) HCCW/TNC groups formed.
   
• Hosted the 2006 Fiesta Tailgate in conjunction with the 1st annual Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club’s “Cerveceros Day-A Tribute to Hispanic Baseballâ€� featuring 2006 honorees, Teddy Higuera & Felix Mantilla and other attractions.
   
• Advocated and assisted in the official debut of the 5th Klements racing sausage- El Chorizo!
   
• Co-founded the North East Wisconsin Chamber Coalition (NEWCC) to provide services to the growing Hispanic business base in the Fox cities of Oshkosh, Appleton, Green Bay & Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
   
• Partnered with the City of Milwaukee Department of City Development (DCD) - Near South Side Comprehensive Plan designed to promote sound development, to guide and preserve valuable community characteristics. Plan to include area specific land use strategies, policies, corridor recommendations and catalytic projects i.e. the proposed Latin Quarter.
   
• Selected for the ELEVENTH consecutive year Region IV (IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, OH & WI) Large Hispanic Chamber of the Year “Best in the Midwestâ€� by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)-Washington DC
   
• HCCW member Robert Ontiveros/Group O awarded the USHCC-2006 Region IV Hispanic Businessman In a separate ceremony HCCW member Marta Bianchini/Cubanitas selected as a Wells Fargo Bank-Ana Maria Arias Memorial Business Fund recipient.
   
• Linked the best and brightest Hispanic professionals with employment opportunities via HCCWJOBS.com
   
• Coordinated the Annual Wisconsin State Fair excursion for 320 Hispanic youth: transportation, lunch and seven hours of unlimited midway rides.
   
• Awarded (2) $10 k, (1) $2,500 and (3) $1 k scholarships under the auspices of the HCCW Education Fund/Phillip Arreola Scholarship Program (est.1993). To date, a significant $372,240 invested in area young adults entering or completing undergraduate studies.
   
• Shared best practices, proven strategies, relationship building and idea exchanges with other business and professional organizations along with the corporate and government sectors.
   
• Raised $167,000 through four profitable fund raising events to augment sole public subsidy of $55,000.
   
• Raised positive consciousness of Hispanics; HCCW and business members regularly profiled in local and national media.
   
• Produced a full-color HCCW newspaper insert distributed to 100,000 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel subscribers.
   
• Proactively diffused public perception of negative events occurring in Hispanic community.
   
• Advanced a network for political issues, community affairs and enhanced opportunities.
   
• Created awareness of Hispanic needs, issues and concerns through HCCW representation on numerous influential boards, commissions and committees.
   
• Identified as a respected voice of the Hispanic community; HCCW President & CEO frequently requested as speaker, panelist, advisor and media commentator.
   
• Recognized as a determined leader for connecting Hispanics with opportunity in commerce, education and employment.
   
• 2006 Honors: Ten Most Powerful Women -M. Monreal Cameron–Milwaukee Magazine/Feb’06; Lincoln Gaines Award-Community Service/Building Strong Communities –YMCA; Friend of the Taxpayer Award–Citizens for Responsible Government; Special Supporter – Girl Scouts of Milwaukee Area; Best New Development-Office/Non Profit – The Business Journal/April ‘06