Hyattsville, MD - Last night was historic for the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) as it hosted its first Latino 'Thirsty (For Business) Thursday' networking event at El Carbonero Restaurant in Hyattsville, Maryland. Well known as EDC's signature networking event, last night's event was especially significant because it was focused on introducing the Latino business community to the toolbox of business development services that the EDC has to encourage and assist in business growth. Joined by EDC's Latino Business Development Specialist Rocio Treminio-Lopez, EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman kicked off Latino "Thirsty (For Business) Thursday" (T4BT) by welcoming local Latino business owners and dignitaries to this one of a kind event.
"Prince George's County is open for business for all communities in Prince George's County," said Coleman. "Tonight, we make history by intentionally engaging our Latino Business community to ensure they have everything necessary to be successful. Latino Business is a driving force behind what makes Prince George's County the powerhouse that it is today. We wouldn't be as strong as we are without businesses like El Carbonero Restaurant that contribute to the economic footprint of the County. We are also excited to have Brentwood Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez on our EDC team so that we can best serve the Latino business community. We are the success partners for any and every Latino Business that seeks to thrive in Prince George's County."
State Senator Jim Rosapepe (District 21) and State Delegate Carlo Sanchez (District 47B) were among the local dignitaries that came out to support the EDC and Latino business community. Also in attendance was Ryan Middleton, Field Representative for U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Helder Hernandez, Community Engagement Officer for Congressman Anthony Brown and representatives from Council Member Deni Taveras's Office and Council Member Dannielle Glaros's Office. Each of them expressed their appreciation to the EDC for recognizing the spending power of the Latino community.
"Tonight was a great opportunity to bring together and show the types of resources that are available for residents in the Latino community who have been thinking about starting a business or expanding their businesses," said Sanchez. "In this area, the retail rental rates mirror those in downtown Silver Spring, with over 90% occupancy. That means that people are coming here and spending their money. My parents migrated to the country in search of the American dream. EDC and its partners are able to give the keys to helping to make that American dream a reality."
El Carbonero, the Latin American restaurant which hosted last night's Latino T4BT, has served the Langley Park section of Hyattsville for more than three years. This event was also sponsored by Council Member Deni Taveras and Fleur De Lis, LLC, a commercial real estate company in the County. Owned by Raul Lopez and managed by Osiris Cabral, El Carbonero provided the perfect back drop for networking with Latino businesses.
"We are grateful that the Latino 'Thirsty (for business) Thursday' is happening in our restaurant," said Cabral. "This is something that is very helpful to all of the businesses in this area. We get to meet a lot of people from different companies and agencies that have resources that we can all benefit from. It was good to hear about the tools that are available to help our businesses grow. A lot of us didn't even know they existed. The more Latino businesses that we can reach to let them know about the resources that the EDC has, the more their companies will be able to grow."
The next 'Thirsty (for business) Thursday' will take place on Thursday, September 21st at the African American Museum and Cultural Center, 4519 Rhodes Island Avenue, North Brentwood, MD 20722. This event will take place from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. To register for this upcoming event, contact Nicole Edwards at 301-583-4650 or naedwards@co.pg.md.us.
EDC's Signature Networking Event 'Es Muy Bueno' For Local Latino Business Community