GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A brand-new hub for Latino business owners and entrepreneurs is a step closer to becoming reality.

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has received $850,000 from the federal government to build its new headquarters on Godfrey Avenue in Grand Rapids.

The office of U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, had received dozens of requests from across the area to submit funding requests for the community project funding process. In choosing the chamber’s proposal, Scholten said the organization’s mission is crucial and provides invaluable services to Hispanic students, entrepreneurs and business leaders.

“We thought about where in the community can we do the most good with these precious taxpayer dollars,” Scholten said Friday. “And it was abundantly clear, we needed additional resources to support our thriving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.”

Hispanic Center expanding with purchase of former church

The funding comes on top of a $5 million allocation from the state. Guillermo Cisneros, the president of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said these are historic investments for the Latino community.

“Our government, it’s finally paying attention to the needs of the Latino community here in West Michigan,” Cisneros said.

The new headquarters is dubbed the “Center for Latino Economic and Talent Advancement, Powered by the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.” It will replace an old manufacturing building at 1111 Godfrey Ave. Inside will be conference rooms fitting 200 people, where Latino business owners can receive resources and connections. Latino college students can also get training from the chamber’s corporate partners.

“This announcement marks a new future,” Cisneros said. “It marks hope for our Latino community here in West Michigan.”

A commercial kitchen will be inside to help future restaurant owners start up their craft. The center will also have a collaborative space for business owners to work together and learn from one another. It will be complete with the chamber’s growing staff.

Hispanic Chamber envisions ‘beautiful, dignified’ headquarters

Cisneros said the plans could change as the chamber plans to seek community feedback over the next three months. He hopes to have room for child care in the facility.

“Have a space for the children where they have toys to play, coloring books and different resources so the parents can see them as they come,” he said.

The building will cost between $6.5 million and $7 million to build, Cisneros said. The chamber still needs to raise $2.5 million to operate and sustain the building.

The chamber initially planned to start construction on the hub this spring and open it later this year. That timeline was delayed by conflicts over buying the space.

“I wanted to make sure that as we acquired this building, we had all the rights, we had all the benefits,” Cisneros said. “As we’re going to be investing millions of dollars in this space, I wanted to make sure everything was well thought.”

‘By Latinos for Latinos’: New chamber HQ aims to encourage growth

The chamber has now officially purchased the property. Next week, the group plans to begin the design process, which is expected to last for six months.

The goal is to break ground by the end of October. Following six to eight months of construction, Cisneros hopes to finish the new building by next May or June.

Gricelda Mata, who owns Lindo Mexico Restaurante in Wyoming, says the chamber and Latino business owners have needed more investment for years.

“Hispanic business owners are resilient, hardworking and full of potential,” Mata said. “With the proper support and opportunities in our native language, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

“This support is not just about constructing a building, it’s about shaping a future,” she added.

Cisneros said that by 2045, the Latino population in greater Grand Rapids will have surged by 130%, citing a 2021 estimate from a local economic development organization. That’s why he says it’s more important than ever to help the Hispanic community prosper.

“I want to make sure our entire community pays attention because if the Latino community thrives and prospers, the entire community is gonna see the benefits,” Cisneros said. “We’re not taking anything from anyone. We are making the pie bigger.”

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