By David Ball

david.ball@panews.com

Racquel Ochoa, executive director of the Hispanic Business Council of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, was pleased with attendance at the inaugural Christmas event Thursday night at Mid-County Dodge in Port Arthur.

She said the “Meet the Hispanic Business Council” provided a “chance to integrate the Hispanic community to the larger community by meeting new businesses and networking,” she said.

Since forming in August, Ochoa said the council has reached out and 11 new businesses have joined.

She said the HBC is not a rival to the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce because it is part of the chamber.

“We’re not another chamber,” she said. “We’re a committee to help businesses integrate with the Port Arthur Chamber because our culture is a little different. We’re not separate from the Port Arthur Chamber.”

Hispanic Business Council members have said they think there is much untapped potential in the Hispanic community that just needs to be developed.

The first meeting before Hurricane Harvey was to share a vision and to develop a mission statement. The second meeting focused on developing a long-term strategic view.  Officers were nominated to discuss the council’s structure for the following meetings.

The mission statement calls for the Hispanic business community to unite to establish local economic growth, assist in community outreach, business mentorship and leadership development throughout Southeast Texas.

Fernando Ramirez said the council could do outreach and mentor new members so the community can become stronger and better. The council will be active throughout Southeast Texas, not just in Port Arthur.

“Everyone is welcome. It’s open to everyone,” he said. “We can help our businesses and help our community.”

Ochoa said annual membership to join the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce and, by extension, the Hispanic Business Council costs $350 for businesses that have one to five employees and $375 for businesses that have six to 25 employees.