Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

AZHCC Chairman’s December Message

Israel Torres Happy Holidays, Chamber members!

As your outgoing Chairman, let me begin by saying thank you to our board, our members, our great staff and our volunteers for a productive 2005. From top-notch business assistance and unprecedented statewide collaboration, to having the AZHCC's agenda adopted at a national level, our organization has risen to new heights in the past year, thanks to these hard-working people.

First, the AZHCC Minority Business Development Center had an excellent year in providing consulting and technical assistance, as well as helping minority-owned businesses acquire the capital they need to succeed. Through November of this year, we have assisted Arizona small businesses in securing more than $2.4 million of needed capital, created about 150 jobs, and helped small businesses procure contracts totaling almost $18 million!

Next, your chamber leadership also made great strides in expanding collaboration with stakeholders in all areas of our great state. In July, we held a multi-chamber summit with the goal to develop an action plan for the advancement and expansion of Arizona's small business community. Representation included Hispanic business and community leaders from Flagstaff, Maricopa County, Nogales, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Rio Rico, Tucson, Williams and Yuma. The Border Trade Alliance, Arizona-Mexico Commission and Nogales Port Authority also participated in this first-time gathering.

Resulting from this first-ever "meeting of the minds" were three themes from which we developed our Arizona small business agenda: immigration and its impact on the availability of labor; economic development and access to Federal small business assistance programs at the local and state levels; and, border infrastructure and security.

We took this agenda to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce national convention, where we caucused with hundreds of other members from around the country. In the end, all of our agenda items were unanimously adopted to move forward as part of the USHCC national agenda, a first-time occurrence for our chamber!

Last but not least, your chamber presented some phenomenal events this year. The 47th Annual Black and White Ball and Small Business Awards had its most successful year to date, raising more than $250,000. DATOS celebrated its tenth anniversary, we launched Contactos en Español, and members and guests alike enjoyed the 2005 El Torneo Golf Tournament.

As this year comes to a close and I reflect on the historic accomplishments of 2005, I also look forward to future partnerships with all of you. I strongly believe that we can work to build a stronger, more viable Arizona through fresh ideas, leadership and collaboration. My best to you all in the New Year!

Israel G. Torres
AZHCC Chairman of the Board