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BY ELIZABETH EAKEN
eeaken@nwitimes.com
219.933.4183 | Tuesday, February 28, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
EAST CHICAGO | A Northwest Indiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce could help businesses take advantage of economic opportunities the Regional Development Authority is bringing to the area, according to an adviser to the governor on Hispanic/Latino affairs.
Juana Watson spoke Monday to about 50 people who attended a meeting to discuss organizing a Hispanic chamber and a resource center to serve Latinos in Northwest Indiana. She stressed there is a need for an organized Latino community here.
"In order to gain power as a group we need to get together. Forget if you're Puerto Rican, Mexican, Chicano or Latino," Watson said.
After discussing the options, Watson said she will form a steering committee of volunteers. They will decide whether to form an autonomous chamber or to operate under the umbrella of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. They also will create a mission statement.
The Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, formed from the merged chambers of East Chicago and Hammond, is offering to share its resources. The chamber publishes a Spanish version of its newsletter, but fewer than 20 members are certified as minority businesses.
The Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also is offering assistance to form a local chamber, Watson said.
Dave Ryan, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce director, explained it could create a division of the chamber that would serve Hispanic business owners and perform outreach. Ryan and others at the meeting noted that with more than 400 members and resources already in place, the Lakeshore Chamber could get the Hispanic chamber running quicker than a start-up chamber.
"I believe if we don't get it together we're going to miss the boat with this RDA," Watson said.
Anyone interested in participating in the steering committee can contact Watson at jwatson@gov.in.gov or (317) 232-6662.
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