Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs recently joined 600 Orlando locals and leaders at the Annual Installation Luncheon for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO).<\/p>\n
The annual event, hosted at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, recognizes the dedication and accomplishments of the current HCCMO board, while also welcoming the new board of directors.<\/p>\n
Maria Garcia, the vice president of HCCMO, explained the impact of HCCMO in Orange County.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe serve as the gateway for large organizations and national corporations to connect with the Hispanic business community of Orange County,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cWe support other organizations that recognize individual cultures and promote Hispanic integration allowing for the preservation of the Hispanic heritage. Through our programs and events, we support and foster economic development in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Jacobs expressed her support toward the Hispanic community in Florida, and the success it has brought the County.<\/p>\n
\u201cOrange County is proud of its strong relationships with the many business organizations and leaders within our Hispanic community,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cThe diversity of our Central Florida population is one of our key strengths. From vibrant cultural offerings to job creation and entrepreneurship, the Hispanic and Latino community are essential to Orange County\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the region\u2019s population continues to spike, so does the diversity of the community. As of 2011, one out of five businesses in the Orlando area is Hispanic-owned and 29 percent of Orange County’s population is of Hispanic heritage.<\/p>\n
In 2012, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognized HCCMO with the \u201cHispanic Chamber of the Year Award\u201d in their category. HCCMO has a mission to \u201cprovide leadership and support the economic development of the Hispanic business community of Metro Orlando” according to their website, and is currently the largest chamber in Central Florida.<\/p>\n
Orange County continues to support its Hispanic community with the Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County. The committee was founded in 1999 with the purpose of providing opportunities that promote and highlight the contributions made by individuals of Hispanic descent in the community.<\/p>\n
The County is a longtime supporter of HCCMO\u2019s mission, which is to provide leadership and to support the economic development of Hispanic businesses and entrepreneurs in Central Florida.<\/p>\n
In September, Mayor Jacobs joined community leaders at the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund\u2019s (HBIF) 11th Annual Success Stories Luncheon in support of Hispanic entrepreneurs throughout Central Florida.<\/p>\n
The event honors and recognizes Hispanic entrepreneurs who have started or expanded a business with assistance from the HBIF, Florida\u2019s leading Hispanic economic development organization.<\/p>\n
HBIF is a nonprofit economic development organization that serves Orange County\u2019s Hispanic business owners by providing quality bilingual business development and training services to help strengthen their business and Florida\u2019s economy. This organization has assisted thousands of Hispanic entrepreneurs since its inception 24 years ago.<\/p>\n