Downtown Business Hub

The Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was formed in early 2001. The original idea of the founding members was that each of them would produce a list of ten businesses or individuals that would be interested in being part of the organization. The plan was set in motion initially by holding meetings at Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant; inviting new people and brainstorming concepts such as dues, by-laws, purpose, philosophy, location, command structure and many bold and stimulating ideas. By mid summer the new organization had thirty-one members and was registered with the state, had a location where it is presently located and held its grand opening and announced to the community that the Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, "La Cámara de Comercio Hispana del Area de Fresno" was here to stay. Shortly after that, the Chamber came into contact with a great individual that finally shaped the Chamber as we know it today. Mr. Fred Burkhardt, Economic Development Director for the City of Fresno was instrumental in laying a solid foundation, establishing by-laws and defining the purpose of the organization. It has been over three years since the original weekly meetings were held and along the way the Chamber has accomplished too many things to list but among the highlights are:
The MIC (Membership Investment Card) program
Final Approval and recognition from the State and Federal governments as a 501 (c)(6) Mutual Benefit Corporation, Non Profit Entity
Scholarships to University Migrant Services at California State University, Fresno
A fully functional and interactive bilingual website
Celebración del Dia Niño en Arte Americas
Negociantes Unidos (our monthly breakfast)
The first edition of our annual Membership directory with 5000 full color copies to start.
Medium Hispanic Chamber of the Year award for region I for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2005.
Regional Small Chamber, Central Region, Award in 2005 from the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Comerica Technical Assistance Grant for $77,000.00 for a period of two years (2004 & 2006).
Wells Fargo Technical Assistance Grant for $100,000.00 for a period of two years (2004 & 2005)
Program of the year 2004. The only Micro Loan program in the state and the second one in the county. Award by the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The FAHCC is mentoring other Chambers of Commerce such as the Modesto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Bakersfield Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in Oregon on how to initiate a similar Micro Loan Program.