New Hispanic Chamber of Commerce set to launch in Imperial County

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - Local organizers are moving forward with plans to launch a new Imperial County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, promising to deliver critical resources, cross-border networking, and aggressive economic advocacy for regional entrepreneurs.

The initiative arrives at a challenging economic period for the valley, particularly in areas like Calexico, which currently lacks an active chamber of commerce and has seen a recent wave of small business closures.

The project is spearheaded by local businesswoman and publisher Ellie Burgueño. Drawing on years of experience with various valley chambers, Burgueño argues that traditional business groups focus too much on social events rather than tangible economic defense.

"I am a believer. I am a visionary, and I think things can get done when you get the support and the people involved that are willing to do the work," Burgueño said.

Rather than relying purely on mixers and receptions, the new group intends to function actively as a legislative and economic lobby for small business owners.

The primary objective is to create local corporate synergy to ensure wealth is retained within the community.

"Money that is created here stays here," Burgueño explained. "If you buy from each other, if you support each other, businesses are more likely to survive."

To build a robust infrastructure, organizers are creating a board of directors comprised of seasoned business veterans, including specialists in cross-border trade.

One of the chamber's primary goals will be mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate complex local government bureaucracy in a fraction of the time. The group plans to offer guidance on:

• Accelerating the business permit process
• Sourcing capital and securing commercial loans
• Navigating local government support programs
• Accessing legal counsel and specialized corporate education
• Securing lucrative state and federal government contracts

By pooling the collective knowledge of long-term business owners, Burgueño hopes to keep future startups from getting discouraged by initial operational barriers.

A unique component of the new chamber is its structural connection to broader regional and national business ecosystems.

By plugging local revenue into the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce network, valley merchants will gain access to corporate partnerships stretching from San Diego and Los Angeles to Yuma and Palm Springs.

This expansive framework is designed to specifically target the cross-border community, bolstering trade relations in the binational Cali-Baja region.

"We could do so much more for our business community and of course, not just locally in Imperial Valley, but across the border community that needs those services to learn more," Burgueño said.

For existing business owners navigating the border economy, the new alliance represents a long-overdue safety net.

Manuel Guerrero, owner of Hope Cafe & Creperie, operates locations in El Centro, Calexico, and four establishments across the border in Mexicali. Despite running a successful enterprise for a decade, he emphasizes that finding reliable business guidance remains a massive hurdle.

"We need help here in the valley. From small businesses we do need a lot of help," Guerrero said. "There's no place where we can actually get information or get help with whatever things that we need."

Guerrero notes that Calexico's lack of an organized chamber has left independent storefronts to navigate recent economic downturns entirely on their own. He believes a dedicated local alliance will help isolated merchants cooperate rather than fight for survival.

"Places keep on closing. and for us in a super small community to have each other's back, I think that'll be very cool," Guerrero added.

While local merchants look toward the future, Burgueño remains focused on turning the economic challenges of the region into a springboard for growth.

"I think it's time," Burgueño said. "We see that this place has everything needed to thrive. We see opportunity where others see challenge and barriers."

Organizers are currently in the process of securing official non-profit status, finalizing the group's legal bylaws, and scouting a permanent physical location within the county.

The chamber's official website is expected to launch in the coming days. Once it's live, local business owners can log on for updates, view initial resources, and explore upcoming membership opportunities.