Ottumwa Latino/a Business Network
Ottumwa, Iowa has 19 Latino/a-owned businesses. The majority of the businesses have been in Ottumwa for less than four years. This is the first business enterprise for most of the business owners.
With the aid of the Business Networks for Rural Community Economic Vitality, the Ottumwa Latino/a Business Group was formed in 2004 to assist new and establishing businesses. Himar Hernandez, Iowa State University Extension Community Development Specialist, and Tom Quinn, who recently retired from Himar's current position, started the business group and provide technical assistance.
The group meets three to four times a year to network and exchange information. Technical assistance in business planning, marketing, taxes, and financial management are provided to the group by the New Iowa Center, Iowa State University Extension, and other organizations as needed. Funding for this network has been provided by the National Science Foundation as well as the USDA-Rural Development Initiative. Along with the Business Networks for Rural Community Economic Vitality projects, these funding sources help ensure the continuing aid and development of this network. With this aid, the Ottumwa Latino/a Business Group has been working on developing better cooperation between members and improving their marketing to non-Latinos/as.
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