SAN BERNARDINO, CA — October 12, 2022 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — The Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses, an alliance of diverse organizations based in Southern California, and committed to advancing small business communities in the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and across the Country is hosting its inaugural procurement summit and celebration to coincide with the close of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The HCSB event reached full capacity, closing registration with close to 300 confirmed participants, including HCSB and its 15 affiliate-member organizations, corporate sponsors, small business owners, and community and legislative leaders. The HCSB Summit is happening October 14, 2022, from 10:00 am-8:30 pm at the San Bernardino International Airport, Private Terminal, 275 N. Leland Norton Way, San Bernardino, CA 92408.

Latinx and other minority-owned businesses have been disproportionally affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an SBA report, 41 percent of Black-owned businesses, 32 percent of Latino-owned businesses, and 20 percent of Asian-owned businesses were forced to close their doors as a result of the pandemic. Despite the odds, our communities of color also possess resilience, creativity, and perseverance at overcoming obstacles.

“Resources and technical support are crucial for these micro and small businesses to scale and thrive,” said HCSB Chairman, Frank Montes. “The HCSB is laser-focused on ensuring we provide our diverse communities with bilingual education, financial resources, and contracting opportunities.”

The San Bernardino International Airport was selected for the organization’s event because it shines the spotlight on the revitalization occurring in the Inland Empire, and the significance of pivoting and adapting to the business environment post-pandemic.

Our corporate partners are essential to the success of our programs. Southern California Edison, one of the HCSB event sponsors, has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to providing access to contracting opportunities for diverse vendors, through partnerships, supplier outreach, and mentorship.

“Our team members value the role our vendors play in ensuring that as an organization we meet our strategic objectives, primarily the safe delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean energy, including wildfire mitigation efforts,” shares SCE, Principal Manager of Supplier Diversity and Development, Maia Siprashvili. “In 2021, Southern California Edison’s spend with diverse businesses was $2.44B, representing 38% of our total spend. In 2022, we will continue to work to discover, support, and develop small and diverse businesses, while remaining a leader in the electric power industry. We commend the HCSB for their efforts and vision of providing a vehicle to empower small and micro businesses to become contract-ready to partner with companies such as SCE, other utilities, and government entities.”

During this year’s HCSB event, attendees will be introduced to the first of its signature Education, Training & Technical Assistance Programs, the HCSB Procurement Education Summit, Getting Small & Micro Businesses Ready to Access Public/ Private Contracts. Three panel discussions led by industry leaders will shed light on trends and upcoming business opportunities focused on a sustainable future: water, energy, workforce, transportation, infrastructure, and a look inside the commercial development projects in the Inland Empire led by the City of Colton, commercial revitalization efforts around the San Bernardino International Airport, and The San Manuel Landing, a community investment project by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

About the Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses:

A new nonprofit organization – (HCSB) was formed in 2022 in the Greater Inland Empire region of Southern California and is committed to becoming a national organization serving local Hispanic and diverse small business communities throughout the United States. The alliance of diverse organizations based in Southern California, founded with a clear goal: helping small business advance and thrive in our communities. Among the organizations key initiatives, to prepare small and micro businesses for contracts, procurement, and funding opportunities while forming sustained relationships with public/private contract providers for contract awards.