Hispanic Chamber Encouraged By Progress At Small Business Forum

WASHINGTON -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) which represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses and over 200 local Hispanic chambers of commerce nationwide, applauds the White House Interagency Task Force on Small Business for this week's forum – A meeting where small businesses were invited to share their experiences and concerns with the Administration.

"With the recent executive order to establish an Interagency Task Force to improve and increase federal contracting opportunities for small businesses, President Obama is emphasizing that small business really is the engine that drives our economy," stated Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the USHCC.  Dan Gordon, administrator of OMB's Office of Federal Procurement Policy had this message for those attending: "The president is committed to making sure that small businesses get their fair share of federal contracting opportunities."

Cindy Ramos-Davidson, CEO of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said: "Our companies face an array of procurement challenges as they strive to secure federal contracts.  At the Task Force Hearing, government officials heard first-hand the frustrations of the small enterprises that are trying to do business with them." Examples of requests by business owners at the forum included calls for raising the revenue threshold to remain in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) business development program and increasing information technology opportunities for Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone contractors.

Palomarez added: "This effort – a Small Business Federal Contracting Forum with top Administration officials – signifies to our community that our concerns and suggestions do indeed matter and that the SBA is truly committed to designing programs that will meet the needs of entrepreneurs as our country's economy seeks to recover. We certainly look forward to continuing our work with the MBDA, SBA and the President's Task Force as we aim to promote additional new opportunities for America's small and minority-owned businesses."

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billionannually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States andPuerto Rico.