Hispanic businesses gain from Walmart initiative

Miami Business Owners Benefit from USHCC Foundation Green Builds Business Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation is proud to announce three winners of its Green Builds Business program which took place at the USHCC 32nd Annual National Convention & Business Expo in Miami. Green Builds Business is a national initiative, underwritten by Walmart, designed to educate Hispanic business entrepreneurs on environmental sustainability in order to give them a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Jose Rodriguez, owner of New Jersey-based Merit, Inc., Hernan Vargas, owner of Renacer in Danville, CA and Jose Michelen, owner of Miami-based Convert Trash, Inc. were the winners among 21 business entrepreneurs from across the country who participated in the Green Builds Business Program, co-hosted by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in September.

"In today's society, leading organizations realize that going green is not only good for business and the communities in which they operate, but necessary to stay relevant in the eyes of consumers, especially in a delicate environment like Florida," says Javier Palomarez, USHCC President and CEO. "Our Miami participants demonstrated creative and profitable concepts that we believe will create growth opportunities and lead the state toward a more sustainable business environment."

The winners will receive a total of 24 hours of one-on-one green coaching from Bill Roth, Green Business Coach for Entrepreneur.com and founder of Earth 2017 who will help the businesses turn innovative green business concepts into reality.

Jose Rodriguez will use the coaching opportunity to realize his plan for an urban farming project that transforms abandoned buildings into multi-purpose farms, inclusive of laboratories, training-to-work programs, schools, packaging facilities and recycling facilities.

Hernan Vargas will put his training hours toward a video campaign project targeted to companies who want to go green but have no solid strategy in place to do so. Jose Michelen will utilize Roth's expertise to help identify a technology expert that can convert municipal waste to energy.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of CommerceFounded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.ushcc.com .

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce FoundationThe USHCC Foundation is committed to giving Hispanic entrepreneurs alternatives for life preparation and life-long learning by developing and implementing initiatives and educational campaigns to awaken and nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. The Foundation leverages corporate and public support to ensure that existing and aspiring Latino entrepreneurs gain access and achieve success in the world of business. Please visit www.ushccfoundation.org for more information on the USHCC Foundation.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation