November 2010

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics just released the latest details on the American job market. The report mixed good news with bad — private-sector firms created 159,000 new jobs in October, but the unemployment rate remains persistently high, at 9.6 percent.

Policymakers continue to search for ways to help those looking for work to find jobs. The minority business community should be at the center of that conversation.

Minority firms have been an engine of job growth for the U.S. economy in recent years, outpacing growth within the general business community for most of the last decade.

Minority business export activity spanned 41 countries over six continents, North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, between 1992 and 2009.  Mexico, Brazil and Dominican Republic are the top three markets for minority firms export activity, accounting for 52 percent of all financing transactions authorized for these firms when foreign markets were identified.

Minority firms in the United States are primed for exporting and are twice as likely to generate sales from exporting as non-minority-owned firms. Some of the reasons are due in large part to language capabilities, cultural compatibility and business agility.

Impact and influence were among the key criteria used to rank Alejandra Castillo, MBDA’s National Deputy Director, among the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America. She recently received the honor from Hispanic Business magazine. Its special issue highlighted Castillo among others in, “The 100 Influentials: Spotlight on Thought Leaders.”

“This is a great honor and MBDA is extremely proud of Ms. Castillo,” said MBDA National Director David A. Hinson. “She continues to make her mark in government and in touching a significant number of minority business owners through her diligent work.”

Forum aims to expand bilateral trading relationships among nations of the Western Hemisphere

WASHINGTON (November 5, 2010) – David A. Hinson, national director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce will moderate the “Social Inclusion through Entrepreneurship” panel at the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in Atlanta on Monday.

Pablo Del Valle has made it his personal mission to improve the lives of Puerto Ricans through constructing quality projects. Founded in 1988, the Del Valle Group, is a recognized leader in road construction, pavement rehabilitation, bridge construction, marine structures, and buildings and site development.

The Del Valle Group currently has 350 employees and completed more than 197 projects to date. The company’s net worth is more than $878.6 million.

Pablo’s hard work as company president has not gone unnoticed. He has attracted numerous accolades, including selection as the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) 2010 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Minority Construction Firm of the Year.