The D.C. Department of Small Business and Local Business Development Partners with the Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce

Targeting the Latino Small Business Community for Spanish-language Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has partnered with the Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce (GWIACC) through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to conduct targeted outreach to the Latino small business community in Washington DC. The effort is intended to assist Hispanic-owned businesses to become certified as a Local, Small, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (LSDBE) and provide information about related business opportunities.

The partnership amplifies Mayor Adrian Fenty's vision to provide economic growth to all residents and sections of the city. The MOU was signed March 22nd, 2007 by Daniel Flores, President and CEO of GWIACC and Erik Moses, Interim Director of DSLBD at a GWIACC-organized breakfast forum. DLSBD's Interim Director Erik Moses said the Administration is committed to promoting the District as a "City of Opportunity," a staple in Mayor Fenty's mission for economic development and revitalization. "The partnership with GWIACC will extend DSLBD's business assistance services to a segment of the District's small business community to whom we have not traditionally provided significant services," said Moses. "Further, the MOU will allow us to have a greater impact on the local business community at large."

Daniel Flores, President and CEO of the GWIACC, praised the MOU signing as a step forward. "Through this partnership GWIACC will assist DSLBD by providing much needed Spanish language application assistance for business owners interested in the LSDBE Certification Program, in the form of application assistance clinics and one-on-one sessions," said Flores. DSLBD has provided certification application assistance training to GWIACC to help insure that applications received be the Department are complete and prepared for review by the Small and Local Business Opportunity Commission which approves or denies applications for certifications. GWIACC will be the only one-stop pre-screening location outside DSLBD for applicants to receive assistance with the LSDBE certification application in Spanish in Washington, DC.

The mission of the Department of Small and Local Business Development is to foster economic growth and the development of local, small, and disadvantaged business enterprises through supportive legislation, business development programs, and agency and public/private contract compliance.

Founded in 1976, the Ibero American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the Washington Metropolitan area that assists, advocates and helps develop Hispanic-owned businesses. Additionally, the Chamber promotes Hispanic businesses internationally, thus, creating value for the community. To learn more about the Chamber and its programs, or the become a member visit us at www.iberochamber.org or contact us at (202) 728-0352.

Credit Scoring Can Increase Access to Credit For Small Business           

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The introduction of credit scoring by banks for small business loans may help increase small businesses’ access to credit, according to a study released today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The report also found that relationships continue to be the dominant factor in banks’ decisions to lend to small businesses.

“The report documents how the use of credit scoring can lead to risk-based pricing of loans which ‘democratizes’ lending, meaning that riskier loans can now be made to start-ups or small business owners with little credit history,” said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy.            

Written by Drs. Charles and Adrian Cowan with funding from the Office of Advocacy, A Survey Based Assessment of Financial Institution Use of Credit Scoring for Small Business Lending, shows that banks, particularly those in urban areas, are moving towards the use of both owner and business credit scoring as a key metric in the small business loan decision.            

For banks that have adopted credit scoring, it appears that there are significant increases in the importance of small business and micro business loans in the total lending portfolio subsequent to the use of credit scoring in the lending decision.  Nonetheless, the use of credit scoring is not universal with about 47 percent of banks surveyed using some form of credit scoring for small business lending.            

The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the federal government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President.  It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues.            

For more information and a complete copy of the report, visit the Office of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/advo.

Ibero Chamber of Commerce Approved by the SBA as a Community Express Technical Assistance Provider.
Washington, DC. August 28, 2006 - The Greater Washington Ibero-American Chamber of Commerce (GWIACC) in an effort to assist businesses in the Washington Metropolitan Area is proud to announce its participation as a technical assistance provider at the SBA community express loan program. The Community Express Loan Program is a unique and innovative program designed to provide streamlined business financing, management and technical assistance to targeted small business. It is a joint initiative between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition.

"For the past 30 years, the Ibero American Chamber has been opening doors and creating opportunities for new businesses" said Daniel Flores, President and CEO of the Ibero American Chamber of Commerce, "We believe that providing technical assistance to small businesses allow the chamber to continue the successful delivering of programs and representing the Hispanic business community in the area", said Flores

Founded in 1976, the Ibero American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the Washington metropolitan area that assists, advocates and helps develop Hispanic businesses. Additionally, the Chamber promotes Hispanic businesses internationally, thus, creating value for the community. To learn more about the Chamber and its programs, or to become a member visit us at www.iberochamber.org or contact us at 202-728-0352.

Ibero Chamber of Commerce to Host Meet & Greet with Vincent Gray Ward 7 Councilmember and Candidate for Chair, D.C. City Council.
Washington, DC.August 28, 2006 - The Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce (GWIACC) is hosting a breakfast forum and conversation with Vincent Gray Ward 7 Councilmember and Candidate for Chair, D.C. City Council. This breakfast is the first of a series the Ibero Chamber has planned with elected officials for this year. Maria Olivas Ibero's board chair said: " We are excited to present the series and bring elected official that will discuss and address issues that are important to the Hispanic business community."


WHO: The Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce

WHAT: "Meet 7 Greet with Vincent Gray Ward 7 Councilmember and Candidate for Chair, D.C. City Council" Breakfast Forum

WHERE: St. Gregory Hotel
               2033 M Street, NW
               Washington, DC 20036

WHEN: Thursday, July 13, 2006.

TIME: 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Founded in 1976, the Ibero American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the Washington metropolitan area that assists, advocates and helps develop Hispanic businesses. Additionally, the Chamber promotes Hispanic businesses internationally, thus, creating value for the community. To learn more about the Chamber and its programs, or to become a member visit us at www.iberochamber.org or contact us at 202-728-0352.

Greater Washington Ibero Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 30 Years of Service to the Latino Community

Washington, DC. August 28, 2006 - This year, the Ibero Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 30 years of service to the Latino community of Greater Washington. Since its inception, the Ibero Chamber has been opening doors and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs as well as small, medium and large minority businesses. "For the past 30 years, the Ibero Chamber has been very successful delivering programs and representing the Hispanic business community" said Angela Franco, Emerging Markets Coordinator in the DC metro region with BB&T and gala committee chair. "We are positioned to follow this tradition of success for the next 30 years" said Franco.

WHO: The Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce

WHAT: 30th Anniversary Gala

WHERE: The Galleria at Lafayette Center
               1155 21st Street, NW
                Washington, DC 20036

              7:30 pm Dinner/Program

Founded in 1976, the Ibero American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the Washington metropolitan area that assists, advocates and helps develop Hispanic businesses. Additionally, the Chamber promotes Hispanic businesses internationally, thus, creating value for the community. To learn more about the Chamber and its programs, or to become a member visit us at www.iberochamber.org or contact us at 202-728-0352.

Ibero Chamber of Commerce to Host Professional Workshop to Improve Procurement Process and Competitiveness.
Washington, DC. August 28, 2006 - The Greater Washington Ibero-American Chamber of Commerce (GWIACC) in an effort to assist businesses in the Washington Metropolitan Area is sponsoring a professional breakfast forum titled "The Contracting game and How to Play It". The main objective of this forum is to provide information on how to play the procurement game, how to access contracts and obtain minority certifications to operate a successful and competitive business. A panel of speakers, which includes: Joseph Loddo, SBA District Director, Washington, DC; George Santoro, AARP, and Michael Veve, attorney at Law, will address the audience on how to obtain federal government and private contracts, how to become minority certified, and cover legal aspects in the procurement process.

WHO: The Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce

WHAT: "The Contracting Game and How to Play It" Breakfast Forum

WHERE: Arlington Economic Development
               1100 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 1500
               Arlington, VA 22201

WHEN: Wednesday, May 17, 2006.
              8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Founded in 1976, the Ibero American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in the Washington metropolitan area that assists, advocates and helps develop Hispanic businesses. Additionally, the Chamber promotes Hispanic businesses internationally, thus, creating value for the community. To learn more about the Chamber and its programs, or to become a member visit us at www.iberochamber.org or contact us at 202-728-0352

The Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce Board Elects New President, CEO
Washington, DC - The Greater Washington Ibero-American Chamber of Commerce (GWIACC) hired Daniel Flores, former senior advisor of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as its new President and CEO. Flores's responsibilities at the U.S. Chamber included, program development and the implementation of communications and marketing strategies specifically targeted to reach Hispanic businesses.

Maria Olivas, Chairman of the Greater Washington Ibero American Chamber of Commerce board representing Verizon said "Daniel brings the energy and experience we need to take the Chamber to the next level" Ms. Olivas also said "We are extremely excited with Daniel's arrival and the fact that in 2006 the Chamber will be celebrating 30 years of service to the Hispanic business community".

The Ibero-American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest Hispanic Chamber of the Washington metropolitan area that assists, advocates and helps develop Hispanic Businesses. Additionally, the Chamber promotes Hispanic businesses internationally thus creating value for the community. To learn more about the Chamber and its programs, or to become a member visit us at www.iberochamber.org or contact us at 202-728-0352.