Pasco Business Owners Recognized by USHCC Foundation Green Builds Business Program

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation announced today that five business owners from the Pasco, WA area have been selected as winners of the USHCC Foundation's national Green Builds Business (GBB) Program.  The Pasco GBB participants were honored with a special welcome from Pasco Mayor Matt Watkins on the first day of the training program and Kennewick City Mayor Steve Young on day two of their training.

Green Builds Business, underwritten by Walmart, is a signature program of the USHCC Foundation. The two-day training program encourages business owners across the country to incorporate sustainability measures into their overall business plans by teaching best practices for lowering operating costs, increasing revenues and motivating workers with green initiatives.

"As evidenced by their projects, the winners of the Pasco Green Builds Business program demonstrate a commitment to the continued education surrounding environmental sustainability," says USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "It is this type of training, and these types of proactive entrepreneurs who will help ensure the health and success of both of our business and our environmental landscapes for years to come."

The GBB program, held in Pasco, Washington on December 9 and 10, 2011, was co-hosted by the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TCHCC).  The five business owners selected will receive a combined 24 hours of one-on-one green coaching with Bill Roth, Green Business Coach for Entrepreneur.com and Founder of Earth 2017. Roth will help the winners formulate a green business plan or implement a green project that holds the potential of creating jobs, growing profits and reducing emissions this year.

The winners from the 2011 Green Builds Business program in Pasco include:

• Derek Brandes and Brett Riley of Columbia Basin College. Brandes and Riley aim to establish a LEED certification program at Columbia Basin College and will take this additional training opportunity to learn the details of what is required for a LEED certification program, and how to implement that process effectively.
• Rudy Pena of Rudy's Pepper Blends, a homemade chili powder company, who is looking to expand his current business to canned goods, and beyond. Pena will use this training to learn how to expand his company with environmentally-conscious and sustainable business practices.
• Isabel Quiroz who works in the candle making business will maximize this opportunity by learning how she can develop environmentally friendly packaging for her products. Quiroz' goals include website development, branding and marketing initiatives for a business model that will donate a percentage of earnings to charity.
• Martin Valadez, in Business Consulting and Development at Tonatiuh Consulting.  Valadez aims to help local business attain their own green certification and will utilize his one-on-one opportunity to gain the knowledge, training and green certification necessary to accomplish his goals.

"The Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is grateful to the USHCC Foundation and Walmart for working with us to make this program possible, and we are proud of all of the individuals who participated," says TCHCC President Martin Valadez.  "It is encouraging to hear how our local business owners will integrate these new skills and knowledge into effective, sustainable and prosperous businesses and we look forward to seeing the impact and influence they have on the surrounding community."

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded 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 combined generate in excess of $420 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The 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.

GREEN BUILDS BUSINESS CONTACTS:
USHCC Foundation                                       
Jennifer Tarazon, Director
(202) 715-0493
[email protected]
http://www.ushccfoundation.org                   

Earth 2017                                                     
Bill Roth
(925) 323-2304
[email protected]
http://www.earth2017.com                           

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce