By Holly Fisher
Supplements Editor

Billboards in Spanish, mercados selling tortillas and “Se Habla Español” signs in store windows are obvious indications the Hispanic population is growing throughout the tri-county region.

The number of Hispanic businesses is increasing right along with the number of businesses eager to attract Hispanic customers. The Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce is working to meet the needs of both sectors.

The chamber recently formed a Hispanic Council, primarily at the request of its members, explained Vivian Barajas, director of membership development. The members see a growing Hispanic population and they want to be able serve it, she said.

As for Hispanic business owners, they often don’t have the same opportunities to network, Barajas explained. The goal is to integrate those business owners into the chamber, not to segregate them.

The Summerville chamber plans to work closely with the Hispanic and minority business initiatives of the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Barajas said.

“We want this to be something to involve the entire Lowcountry,” said Barajas, noting each chamber’s individual efforts could be combined to create a Lowcountry Hispanic Council.

The Summerville chamber’s Hispanic Council has met twice, with about 15 people attending. At its February meeting, the council decided to concentrate first on the Hispanic business community, the employers, rather than the overall Hispanic community, the employees.

“We feel that by targeting the businesses first, we can impact the leaders of the Hispanic community and that they, in turn, will be able to provide better services to the general community,” she said.

Outreach plans include translating the chamber membership directory and Web site into Spanish. And business leaders will be able to network and attend seminars about handling communication gaps.

The chamber is also interested in offering Spanish courses for business owners who want to better communicate with customers and potential employees. English courses would also be available for Spanish-speaking individuals interested in improving their English.

“There really is a desire. People want to get involved and learn,” said Barajas, whose parents are originally from El Salvador. “This is something the whole business community can get involved in. There are lots of people willing to help us get started.”

The council meets at 8 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Summerville chamber, 402 North Main St. For more information, visit www.greatersummerville.org.

Holly Fisher is the supplements editor for the Business Journal. E-mail her at hfisher@charlestonbusiness.com.

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