WACO, TX — June 22, 2022 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — The Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CTHCC) has launched a new initiative called Escalando (Spanish for climbing). This program, for the first time, will provide local Spanish-speaking business owners with support and resources.

“The city of Waco, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is over 31% Hispanic and 24% of the population speaks a language other than English at home,” said CTHCC Chairman of the Board Jonathan Olvera. “Escalando is a program that Spanish-speaking business owners and entrepreneurs can use as a resource, to help start a new business or get the assistance and training to scale up their current business.”

Latino-owned businesses in Waco and McLennan County continue to grow, as does their positive impact on the local economy.

Nationally the number of Latino-owned businesses has grown 34% over the last 10 years compared to just 1% for all other small businesses, according to the Stanford Graduate School of Business research report 2020 State of Latino Entrepreneurship. The report goes on to say that if not for the growth in the number of Latino-owned firms, the total number of small businesses in the U.S. would have declined between 2007 and 2012.

“As a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we recognize the importance of providing business resources, support, and technical assistance to our members and community in both English and Spanish,” said CTHCC Economic Development Director Eric Terrazas.

The next Escalando workshop is Tuesday, June 28, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fire Station #6 located at 1006 N 25th Street, Waco.

Escalando workshops are no cost, conducted in Spanish, and open to the public. Chamber membership is not required. For more information on Escalando or about CTHCC, you can call 254-754-7111.

The Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1975 and has three main focus areas: the promotion of economic development, developing and empowering Hispanic leaders, and supporting and equipping local businesses.