Cobb County has experienced a significant expansion in the number of Latino-owned businesses, according to the latest survey of business owners by the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the 10 counties in the Atlanta region, only one (Gwinnett) had a greater concentration among this group. The Latino Business Forum reached out to these businesses to discuss issues and opportunities related to the development, expansion and prosperity of their operations.
The 60 Latino business owners attending the business forum engaged in substantive dialogue with a panel of experts offering insights based on their respective business experience and expertise. Speakers Jose Puente, 2008 Chairman of the Mexican American Business Chamber; Guillermo Zuniga, Area Vice-President, Banuestra Financial Corporation; Zayra Fosse, Community Relations and Business Development Manager, Coca Cola Enterprises; and Tony Chavez, owner, Chavez Graphics shared experiences in starting and maintaining businesses as well as strategies and insights for business expansion and opportunities with other companies. Sam Kelly, Cobb Chamber of Commerce President; David Connell, Region Manger, Georgia Power; Sam Olens, Chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners and the Atlanta Regional Commission; and other key county government representatives( human resources, public safety, economic development) were present as resources. State Representative Pedro Marin was a special guest.
Puente cautioned everyone to remember that “the Hispanic community has grown rapidly and is still in transition.” He noted the Mexican Chamber’s emphasis on economic development. Zuniga described the focus of Banuestra Financial Corporation as primarily on meeting the financial needs of consumers in the Hispanic community. Olens reminded the group that Cobb County is committed to working closely with the Latino community, engaging them on boards and in community leadership roles. Participants were strongly urged to get involved with other organizations and use the resources that are available.
The Cobb Latino Initiative’s 2nd Latino Business Forum, sponsored in partnership with Georgia Power, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican American Business Chamber, brought together a broad range of Latino operated businesses ranging from a neighborhood grocer to lawyers, realty, insurance, financial services, engineering and communications.
The Cobb Latino Initiative began in late 2004 by government and business leaders in response to the growing Latino population in Cobb County. The Initiative puts into practice the philosophy that Cobb County is for all its residents and builds on diversity as strength not an obstacle. For detailed information on the 2nd Latino Business Forum and other activities of the Cobb Latino Initiative, visit www.cobbchamber.org/county/LatinoInitiative/LatinoInitiative.htm