The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) will award the Little Village Chamber of Commerce (LVCC), as the Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award, during its national convention, to be held in Philadelphia from September 16-18.
The announcement was made at a breakfast at the restaurant Mi Tierra, in Chicago, by an official from the USHCC, prior to the parade for Mexican Independence Day.
Criteria to receive the award include major accomplishments achieved in the areas of business, economic development, procurement and/or access to capital, leadership, partnerships and service to the Hispanic community and business community, measurable results and outcomes within the Hispanic business community.
Jaime di Paulo, CEO of LVCC, commented that the award belongs to the entire Little Village community and in particular to the Latino business community. “We are proud to receive this award. This recognition speaks for itself for the work that both business and community leaders have invested.
It is the first time that LVCC receives a national recognition.
The Little Village community (La Villita) is home to more than 100,000 residents within a ten minute drive from over 500 thousand Mexicans and represents the largest concentration of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the city of Chicago and the entire Midwest.
Little Village has a population made up of working class, first or second generation Hispanics. Mexicans from all over the Midwest visit Little Village’s vibrant 26th Street retail district for the kinds of products they would only find in Mexico. Home to 122 restaurants that serve the right mix of authentic Mexican food in a festive setting, La Villita is quickly becoming a tourist destination for non-Latinos as well.
Founded in 1986, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce has worked tirelessly to earn the trust and confidence of 1000+ businesses in our community.
“Our mission is to promote and support the growth and success of business in Little Village and to leverage the community’s unique identity to generate new opportunities”, said Di Paulo.
The Little Village commercial area generates nearly $900 million in sales per year, second only to the Magnificent Mile. This fact reflects the perseverance and creativity of the area’s business owners and residents and serves as a testament to our community’s vitality.
