The Hispanic Chamber used 2023 state grants for education, coaching and networking for micro-businesses; half owned by women, 94% minority owned, most of them early-stage companies less than three years old.
Kaylee Moreno Burke, senior director of programs and strategy, says the second $1.5 million grant will help those companies scale up to a growth stage and add jobs.
“Making the right connection with the entrepreneur to the right resource at the right time with the right capital is exactly what we are seeking to do.”
Now serving a 13-county region, The Hispanic Chamber is partnering with groups like the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation and Grand Valley State University’s Muskegon Innovation Hub.
“It’s a different type of outreach that we have here in Grand Rapids. We're in an urban core, and we needed a strategic partner that was used to doing this type of work but had the intentional relationships in the northern region.”
Burke emphasized the Hispanic Chamber isn’t just for the Hispanic/Latino community but supports all diverse business owners.
“Working with other organizations that aren't just black or Hispanic, but helping to support women, minority, veteran owned businesses, new entrepreneurs, existing entrepreneurs and helping them move from startup to growth stage and to retain those businesses.”
The Hispanic Chamber officially opens its new headquarters on Godfrey Avenue SW in Grand Rapids this fall.
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