Like most people who made New Year's resolutions to improve their health, the new leader of the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be exerting more energy in 1997 to help new entrepreneurs get started and existing Hispanic-owned businesses grow stronger.
"I'm excited about the challenging year ahead for us," said Juan Salinas, new chairman of the 400-member Hispanic chamber. "I have several personal goals I would like us to fulfill."
Salinas, an account consultant with AT&T, said there are 4,355 Hispanic-owned firms in Corpus Christi, most of them small. These businesses represent the fifth largest Hispanic business count among major cities in the state and have combined annual sales of $241 million.
"Hispanic businesses are a significant economic force and have grown about 25 percent over the past 10 years. We plan to address this niche by aiming more support and assistance to their daily business needs so they can become more vibrant contributors to the business community," Salinas said.
The Hispanic chamber was instrumental in the reopening of the Corpus Christi Minority Business Development Center in December, a partnership which should offer more loan packages for start-up businesses and technical services to help existing businesses prosper and grow, he said.
The center has set a goal of serving 200 firms and 500 individuals this year. It has a target of providing $3 million in new loan packages and $3 million worth of federal, state, county and local government contracts.
Salinas also hopes to give increased response to chamber members and increase the membership by 100 this year.
"We must try to make sure that members get a good return investment such as more services," he said. "We want to bring in more jobs and actively encourage larger companies that are considering moving here."
Salinas said he will urge the promotion of more support to local Hispanic firms "to buy and conduct their business needs with local businesses."
He will attempt to increase trade missions to Monterrey and other Mexican cities, hoping to make more ties through the Port of Corpus Christi.
"I think opportunities are available in Monterrey for local buyers and sellers of products and services, especially in steel-related manufacturing and distribution," he said. "We will seek them out."