College Park, MD - Last Thursday, the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) teamed up with the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to host the first annual ‘Latino Business Celebration & Networking Extravaganza’. Over 100 of Prince George’s County’s top Hispanic business leaders and entrepreneurs came out to the Penthouse Ballroom at The Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD to celebrate the success that the Hispanic business community has experienced. County officials and representatives from the office of County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III were on hand to offer support, resources and celebratory words to those in attendance. The EDC’s President and CEO, Jim Coleman, and Nicole Quiroga, GWHCC’s CEO were excited to co-host an event to empower the Hispanic business community in Prince George’s County.
“Our partnership with the GWHCC is historical and monumental,” said Coleman. “Working with Nicole Quiroga and the GWHCC has been nothing short of amazing because there is now no excuse for our Latin owned and operated businesses to be successful in Prince George’s County. At the EDC, it is our mission to ensure that resources are made available for all who want to be successful. That is the reason that we took the opportunity to partner with Nicole and her team to make sure that we give special focus to a community that contributes so much to our economy and creates thousands of jobs for our residents. The Hispanic business community is a driving force that makes Prince George’s County Fuego!”
Guests included Nick Majett, Prince George’s County’s Chief Administrative Officer, and Daisy Rickert, Latin Business Liaison for the Office of Rushern L. Baker, III, Senator Jim Rosapepe, Prince George’s County Council members Todd Turner and Deni Taveras, and Mayor Edward Estes of Glenarden. North Brentwood Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez who serves as the Latin Small Business Liaison for the EDC was also in attendance to offer her services and access to resources to the event’s attendees.
“I’m here representing County Executive Baker, who is proud to support the Latino Business community,” said Rickert. “At the County, we are proud of all the contributions that Hispanic business leaders have made. They create many jobs which contribute to our ability to lead the State in job growth and creation. The partnership between the EDC and GWHCC will be vital in fostering an environment that will allow more success for the Latino Business community.”
GWHCC President and CEO Nicole Quiroga expressed how excited she is to partner with the EDC for this initiative.
“At the GWHCC, our mission is to connect the Latino Business community with a wide array of resources,” said Quiroga. “Tonight’s event solidifies our joining forces with the EDC and makes us equipped to serve the Hispanic community on a large scale. I’m excited to say that we’ve opened a satellite office in Prince George’s County which makes us more accessible to the businesses that we serve together with the EDC. Our kickoff event was a great success and I look forward to continuing to empower the Latino Business community!”
On April 30, 2018, the EDC and GWHCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding which formalized their shared commitment to enhance the connection between Prince George’s County businesses and the Latino small business community. The ‘Latino Business Celebration & Networking Extravaganza’ was the first joint event of many to come from the EDC and GWHCC partnership.
The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) membership-driven organization, founded in 1976, that supports the economic development of the Greater Washington metropolitan area. The Chamber facilitates the success of Hispanic and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education and access to capital. For additional information visit our website at www.gwhcc.org.
The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation provides business services that help attract, retain, and expand businesses, create high-quality jobs, and expand Prince George’s County’s commercial tax base. EDC’s mission of business attraction and expansion is accomplished through our main business initiatives including Business Development, ‘Innovation Station’ Business Accelerator, International Business Development, Workforce Services, and Marketing/Communications.
For more information on how to do business in Prince George’s County, please contact Rocio Treminio-Lopez at rtlopez@co.pg.md.us.