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Delaware
Hispanic Commission

Economic Development Resources




Economic Development Resources

The Economic Development Subcommittee advises the Delaware Hispanic Commission on strategies to enhance the economic well-being of Delaware’s Hispanic community. This includes promoting career opportunities, resource access, and entrepreneurship. The committee organizes events, develops resources, manages budgets, tracks program effectiveness, and reports progress to the Commission, ultimately driving sustainable economic growth within the Hispanic community.

Subcommittee Members

Pedro Viera
Co-Chair

Marcella Saborio
Co-Chair

Jose Colon
Member

Maria Freudenthal
Member

Michelle Harris
Member

Jose Lopez
Member

David Ortiz
Member

Edwin Perez
Member

Dawn Pickett
Member

Dinette Rivera
Member

David Root
Member

Resources for Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed. Learn more: https://www.sba.gov/district/delaware.

The Delaware SBDC delivers training programs and no-cost, professional consulting services to help entrepreneurs, startups, and existing businesses formulate and execute strategies to grow and succeed. For over 40 years, their innovative and impactful solutions have helped grow Delaware’s economy. The Delaware SBDC is the only statewide, nationally accredited program that provides high-quality one-on-one consulting, training, and resources for small businesses at no cost. Learn more: https://delawaresbdc.com

Stand By Me empowers individuals to reach their financial goals through free, confidential, one-on-one coaching. Their trained professionals provide personalized guidance and tools to address unique financial situations, making goals like homeownership, debt reduction, or business startup attainable. Learn more: https://uwde.org/how-we-work/strategic-initiatives/stand-by-me/

The Women’s Business Center at True Access Capital provides a comprehensive array of resources, robust training programs, and one-on-one counseling with experts, all designed to support the entrepreneurial journey of every individual. Through collaboration and barrier reduction, they aim to foster innovation and drive sustainable economic development within the community. Learn more: https://trueaccesscapital.org/womens-business-center/

The program provides small business owners with the knowledge, know-how, and networks needed for business growth and expansion. Delaware-based business owners can have access to interactive class sessions; peer mentoring groups; and the opportunity to learn from local experts in the fields of finance, marketing, and procurement. Complete the program with a customized, three-year strategic growth plan – plus, the confidence and ability to turn those plans into action. Learn more: https://debcc.org/enrich-delaware/

The Delaware Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offers a 6-week program in Spanish that helps Hispanic entrepreneurs and business owners develop their strengths and potentiate them to achieve their goals. At the end of the course, the participants will have an action plan for the strategic growth of their business, regardless of the stage they are in. The plan is personalized in the short, medium, and long term. (90 days, 180 days, 2 years). Learn more: https://www.hchamber.org/programs

Whether you are a start-up or an existing business, business experts will help mentor you and your business open new markets, reach new customers, and achieve new goals. Learn more: https://www.score.org/delaware/local-mentors.

La Plaza Delaware offers a 12-week course to help you start and grow your business. Learn more: https://laplazadelaware.org/business-classes/

If you own an established business, you may receive 1:1 consulting and coaching from Coaching for Impact. Learn more: https://accounts.chase.com/business/coaching

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program is designed to help small business owners grow their businesses and create jobs. Learn more: https://onegs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9NR7AulWvIjMwrI  

Find free courses, mentorship, networking and grants created just for small businesses by visiting https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/.

The West End Neighborhood House Launcher Entrepreneurship Program helps individuals launch and grow their businesses by providing essential tools, personalized guidance, and ongoing support, enabling them to transform their passions into thriving ventures. Learn more: https://westendnh.org/programs/launcher/

Resources for Homeownership

This program provides coaching support to help people understand, prepare for, and navigate the challenges of buying their first home. Learn more: https://www.unitedway.org/our-impact/financial-security/homelessness-home-ownership.

The Delaware State Housing Authority provides counseling services. Learn more: https://www.destatehousing.com/maintain/housing-counselors/.

Financial Empowerment Resources

This 6-week in-person Spanish-language class meets twice a week at DTCC Georgetown and covers digital literacy basics such as email and online applications, as well as financial literacy basics such as banking, credit scores and reports, preparing for a financial emergency, identity theft, budgets, and homeownership. Learn more: https://www.laesperanzacenter.org/classes/

The United Way of Delaware provides resources and access to experts with information for managing short and long-term financial needs to achieve greater financial security. Learn more: https://www.unitedway.org/our-impact/financial-security/my-smart-money.

Workforce and Employment Resources

The United Way of Delaware’s Job Training Program helps people get secondary school diplomas, licenses, certifications, or vocational training. The program also helps with partnering with employers, educators, and government to build an employment pipeline for high-quality, high-paying jobs – supporting both individuals and creating thriving communities. Learn more: https://www.unitedway.org/our-impact/financial-security/job-training 

La Esperanza’s Opciones Program provides college and career coaching. Opciones is a new program that connects our programs to community and educational training options. Learn more: https://www.laesperanzacenter.org/services/.

Advocacy and Legal Protection Resources

The Delaware Department of Labor Office of Antidiscrimination (OAD) is a neutral third party that will assist an aggrieved employee through the Antidiscrimination Administrative Process. Learn more: https://labor.delaware.gov/divisions/industrial-affairs/discrimination/

CLASI provides free civil (non-criminal) legal services to vulnerable and underserved Delawareans, helping to ensure equal access to justice. Learn more: https://www.declasi.org/

DCRAC provides title, tax, estate planning, and more legal services at flat fee rates and free to income-eligible individuals. Learn more: https://dcrac.org/dcrac-law.

La Esperanza’s Immigration Counseling program provides bilingual DOJ-accredited immigration assistance to help you make informed decisions and apply for services. Services include receiving legal counsel on your immigration case, filing a petition for family immigration, applying for a green card and citizenship, applying for work authorization, applying for DACA or TPS, and taking citizenship classes. Learn more: https://www.laesperanzacenter.org/services/.

Banking and Investment Resources

Private, independent non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) whose mission is to provide capital in places where it is not usually available. They seek to create positive change in a community by providing entrepreneurs with access to business development loans for projects that generate jobs, create affordable housing and help to revitalize communities. Learn more: https://finanta.org/

True Access Capital is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving the State of Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. They provide small business loans from $10,000 to $500,000, and community development loans of up to $500,000.  They focus on serving diverse business owners, including those who may have difficulty securing financing through traditional sources such as banks and credit unions. CDFI structure loans differently than traditional lenders by focusing on cash flow analysis, accepting non-traditional collateral, and offering flexible terms. Learn more: https://trueaccesscapital.org/loan-products/

Need additional resources or assistance?

Email us at DHC_Chair@delaware.gov


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