• About Us

  • A group of Hispanic-area business owners have been planning the formation of Savannah's first minority-focused Chamber of Commerce and in late July, the Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MSAVHCC) filed articles of incorporation with the Georgia Secretary of State's office.  

    MeetingThe creation of the Chamber was long overdue.  The Metro-Savannah area has more than 365,000 residents and nearly ten percent of them identify themselves as Hispanics.  Everywhere you look, you see Hispanic businesses opening their doors. Savannah is a magnet for jobs–it's not too big and it's not too small.  Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan County are included in our coverage area but Hinesville also has a very large and vital Hispanic population and we invite their participation as well.  With more than 1,500 Hispanic owned businesses in the Georgia Coastal area using 2007 Census data, there has been no organization that coordinates economic development services for this growing sector of the community.  That is…until now.  

  • Objectives:

    • To develop and strengthen the relationship with Hispanic companies, organizations, professionals, corporations and many cultural and civic entities in Metropolitan Savannah.
    • To promote programs, events, resources and activities aimed at improving the economic development of Hispanics in the region.
    • To serve as the gateway for large organizations/national corporations to connect with the Hispanic business community.
    • To support other organizations that recognize the contributions Hispanic businesses bring to the nation, and the community at-large.
    • To support and promote those entities actively recognize the Hispanic integration allowing for the preservation of the Hispanic heritage.
    • To recognize the achievement of Hispanic individuals and companies that has a positive influence in the target area.

  • Mission

    "Our mission is to provide leadership and support the economic development of the Hispanic business community of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area."

  • Vision

    Our vision is to be the economic development organization of choice in the Savannah metropolitan area for Hispanics to go to when starting, operating, and growing a successful business enterprise.

  • Values

    Integrity, Loyalty, Diligence and Love for the Savannah area Hispanic community and its residents.

     

  • Target Area

    Metropolitan Savannah is composed of four (4) counties; Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, and Effingham which include the following cities; Richmond Hill, Rincon, Guyton, Springfield, Bloomingdale, Garden City, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Savannah, Hinesville, and Tybee. The total population as of 2013, is over 365,000 with 9.2% identified themselves a Hispanic according to Census Bureau.

  • Two Primary Goals

  • MSAVHCC has two primary goals for local business owners–education and training.

    We want to make our business partners more productive. To accomplish that, we will offer educational seminars and training. For established businesses, we will show them what it takes to franchise their ideas by establishing partnerships with firms that have expertise in that field.   For start-up businesses, we will show them how to navigate the government bureaucracy and make the most of limited financial resources.

    Membership in the MSAVHCC is not limited to traditional storefront operations.  In our community, there are many entrepreneurs who do not have offices and are held back by the language barrier. We have many people who are self-employed as interpreters, network marketers, and other work-from home or home-based occupations. Our chamber directors and its bilingual staff will give them the support and guidance they need to become financially successful.

    Again, membership in the Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is not limited to Hispanics only.  We recognize that there are many local businesses that benefit from the presence of so many Latinos living in Coastal Georgia. Our chamber welcomes as members anyone who can benefit from strengthening their ties to the Savannah Metropolitan area and the local Hispanic community.

    We are a non-profit organization and all of the moneys we collect are used to fund our activities. Our goal is to make our membership fees affordable for everyone, whether the business is large or small. But for businesses willing to make a larger financial commitment to support our initial efforts, we want to offer some special incentives, including sponsorship recognition for all of our chamber activities.

    Coastal Georgia offers many opportunities to Hispanic entrepreneurs. If they unite behind a set of common goals, their strength will be greatly enhanced. For more information, please call Alfonso Ribot at (904) 422-5019 or send an email message to info@msavhcc.org.

     

    Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc. - Articles of Incorporation

     

  • Legal Status

    Authority is the IRS Statute IRC 501(c) (6) “provides for exemption of business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, boards of trade, and professional football leagues (whether or not administering a pension fund for football players), which are not organized for profit and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. “ IRS Pub.