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Chamber growth made possible through corporate partnerships

For more than 60 years the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has worked to help minority owned businesses thrive. Through educational programs and monthly meetings, organizers partner with companies to get them the resources they need to succeed.

But none of it would be possible without the help of other industries like the Port of Corpus Christi or US Reality Management Company.

"Corporate partnerships work in two ways, first by providing bigger industries the opportunity work within the small business community and improve awareness of their activities," said president and CEO Joe Cisneros III. "It also provides our members with a direct link to corporations willing to work along side them to build strong businesses and a better economy for all of us."

For the last few years the Port of Corpus Christi has worked hand and hand with the chamber, both utilizing the others unique and vital resources to create more opportunity for local business.

In recent years the port, which is ranked the fifth largest in the nation, has constructed a refrigerated warehouse and opened doors to the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. Through the partnership the port has been able to push its facilities in Northern Mexico. The port in turn supports the chamber’s efforts by donating funds and helping to host training seminars and monthly mixers.

"The chamber’s members represent a big segment of the small business community and we are better able to reach those businesses through a partnership with the chamber," said executive director John LaRue. "They provide us with support and assistance and we in turn help provide them with the funds and resources necessary to keep on going."

US Reality also plays a big part in the success and expansion of the chamber. They provide the organization with 2,400 feet of office space in the Wells Fargo Tower, located at 615 Upper North Broadway. Because of their generosity the chamber is able to offer members a conference center, computer lab and high speed Internet access.

"Helping organizations like the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is vital to their success and important to our entire community," said Mike Morgan, manager for US Reality.