Hispanic chamber welcomed to Colusa County

A proposal for a Colusa County chapter of the North Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was well received last week when organizers and potential members met for the first time at Colusa Casino Resort.

The member-funded organization will represent both Hispanic and non-Hispanic businesses in the area.

Sutter County North Valley President Angel Diaz said the local chapter will serve as a vehicle to enhance the economic advancement of Hispanic businesses and help non-Hispanic businesses tap into a large Hispanic consumer base.

"Hispanics make up 40 percent of the buying power," Diaz said.

Diaz said Hispanics are traditionally a hard-to-reach market, but are extremely loyal consumers once reached.

"That loyalty lasts for generations," he said.

The new Hispanic chamber hopes to enroll at least 12 to 15 members its first month. Any individual, association, corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship are eligible to join. Membership fees vary.

"Its good to have a Hispanic chamber," said Rosa Santillan, owner of Party With Us in Colusa. "There is a lot of potential here."

Santillan said she's delighted to be a member of both the Hispanic Chamber and the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce, and believes both are needed to help business prosper, especially during difficult economic times.

"We need to find that box before we can think outside it," laughed Santillan.

Luis Barrera, owner of a Colusa design studio and publisher of "United Magazine," is one of several local business owners who is already a member of the Hispanic Chamber. Others include Felt & White Economic Outreach and Colusa Casino Resort.

Barrera is a member of the North Valley board of directors and will serve as liaison for Colusa businesses to North Valley's Yuba County operations.

Live Oak businesswoman Toni Fresquez, North Valley vice president, said people must be committed to making both chambers work well in the community.

"It's a collaborative effort," she said. "It's not competitive."

Representatives from several local businesses, Family Water Alliance, the Colusa County Board of Supervisors, Colusa Regional Medical Center, Woodland Community College and the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce attended the inaugural meeting of the Hispanic chamber.

"Having an Hispanic Chamber is going to be good for all businesses," Barrera said. "It will also be good for the Hispanic community."

For more information, call Barrera at 415-509-6304.