ST. GEORGE — The Washington Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced the formation of the Southern Utah Latino Business Alliance to support the region’s growing Hispanic business community.
Chamber President and CEO Ed Tracey told St. George News that the Hispanic community is the fastest-growing minority community in Southern Utah.
“South of Richfield, between 11-13% of the population is Hispanic, and many of them are business owners or professionals in their industries,” Tracey said. “This will be the first organization of this kind in this part of the state.”
The mission of the alliance is to strengthen Latino-owned businesses through a united community that fosters mutual growth and prosperity, supporting each other through collaborations, resource sharing and strategic partnerships, driving measurable and sustainable success, a recent press release stated.
The alliance’s newly named chairman, Desai Madrigal, said he plans to use lessons he learned while operating a local WIN Home Inspection business to help support the Latino community’s economic growth.
Madrigal said that since joining the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce about one year ago, he has learned many social media, Google search and other media-related skills.
“But the biggest thing for me that I have learned — networking,” Madrigal told St. George News.
He said Latinos in Southern Utah who are new to the area might not be aware of the business resources available.
The Southern Utah Latino Business Alliance also gives area businesses, such as Chartway Federal Credit Union (a sponsor of the alliance), a resource they can provide their Hispanic customers as well.
Tracey said the alliance also gives supporting community members such as Susan Olvera, an account executive at TDS Telecommunications, an opportunity to meet and network with others.
“(There is) definitely a growing population,” Madrigal said. “We want to make sure that we’re contributing in the way that we should as Latinos and doing everything that we can to grow as a community together.”
The Southern Utah Latino Business Alliance invites all business owners to their kickoff event on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 5-7 p.m. at Blues Katz Grill, located at 307 N. Bluff Street.
Madrigal said the event is free thanks to community sponsors, and everyone is invited for music, networking and light refreshments.
According to their website, the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and connecting businesses with community and government in “the greater Washington Area.”
Another upcoming event will support business growth for women in the Washington County area by providing resources, fostering partnerships, networking and connecting with other female business leaders.
The Washington Area Women in Business Summer Party at Tava Resort will take place in Hurricane on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 6-9:30 p.m. Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring a prize for the drawing, a potluck dish and a friend.
Although both events are free, online or pre-registration is required due to limited space.
For more information on reserving a spot for Washington Area Chamber of Commerce events, call their office at 435-879-3515 or register for events on their website at this link.
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