Click here for this entire article, en español!

I had a conversation with one of our board members back in February, and his words stuck with me. He talked about the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit within Adams County’s Hispanic community—the incredible restaurants, stores and small businesses.

It made me wonder if we, the Alliance, could help additional entrepreneurial dreams come to life within our Hispanic community.

Last year, the Alliance worked closely with the Center for Youth and Community Development (CFYCD) to produce a report, “Adams County Agribusiness: Workforce Needs Assessment.” We learned about the many challenges facing the Hispanic community and the agriculture industry.

With those two seeds planted in my mind, I approached Andrea Dolges and Griseydi Castaneda at CFYCD with a question, “What can the Alliance do, to better serve the Hispanic business community?”

They suggested an educational event that covers all the pieces and steps needed to start a business, from planning to financing, legalities to launch.

This fall, all of these conversations and groundwork are coming to fruition! Mark your calendars, save and share this date:

Thursday, October 24 from 6 to 8 pm at the Gettysburg campus of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), 731 Old Harrisburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

The Alliance is proud to invite all Hispanic business owners and aspiring business owners to an event called, “De la Idea a la Realidad: Pasos para Crear tu Propio Negocio” translated to English to mean, “From Idea to Reality: Steps to Create your Own Business.”

In addition to the Alliance and our connections with financing and loan products offered by the state, we are thrilled to have brought together nine additional partners who will be offering their advice at the event:

  • The Gettysburg campus of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), which has graciously offered to host the event.
  • The Small Business Development Center at Shippensburg University which provides no-cost confidential consulting to small business owners and potential entrepreneurs.
  • Yessenia Rios from the Community First Fund, whose mission is to create financial equity through wealth building opportunities for individuals, families, and business owners, especially persons of Color, women, and immigrants.
  • Marlen Morales, attorney
  • Lisbeth Amato, accountant
  • Arthur Rathell from ACNB
  • Amanda Daniels and Jodie Thomas from PNC
  • Gettysburg College
  • CFYDC, who helped us plan and design the event!

All of these partners share our excitement, energy and enthusiasm for the event!

“HACC is excited to collaborate with the Alliance to empower the Hispanic population in Adams County through tailored education and workforce development programs,” said Gillian Brooks, HACC’s Workforce Development Coordinator. “By reaching this growing community, we aim to break down barriers to education and employment, fostering a more inclusive and skilled workforce that benefits the entire region. Our partnerships with the Alliance and other key organizations are crucial in creating opportunities that not only address immediate needs but also contribute to the long-term economic vitality of Adams County. This initiative highlights the importance of embracing diversity and investing in the future of our community.”

Interpreters will be available to assist with communication. Attendees will be able to obtain information through translated materials and by visiting the partner’s tables, and there will be breakout sessions on specific topics.

“The CFYCD and our La Comunidad/Collaborating for Youth Coalition are pleased to collaborate in the event, connecting our Hispanic community members with opportunities towards further success in Adams County,” said Andrea Dolges, CFYCD’s Executive Director. “Reaching our full community—everyone—is important at CFYCD. While different communities have varied needs, we recognize that we all seek the ability to grow economically and support our families and our futures. This outreach event provides an equitable platform opportunity for communities via economic empowerment in business and workforce development. Our community cares about youth and families and our successes together in Adams County.  Thanks to strong community-based partnerships across demographics that support specific community needs, CFYCD and the CFY Coalition, guided by La Comunidad are excited to partner in efforts towards positive youth and community development.” 

Please share this information with your friends in the Hispanic community, current and aspiring business owners alike, as well as families seeking job and career opportunities. Please note this column will be available on our Alliance website (adamsalliance.org, under “News”) in both English and Spanish, perfect for sharing electronically or printed copies.

We hope to see you there! For more information, please contact Brady Rodgers, Adams Economic Alliance’s Director of Business and Community Outreach, at [email protected] or 717-334-0042, x 104.

Adams Economic Alliance, comprises three organizations: The Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), the Adams County Industrial Development Authority (ACIDA) and the Adams County General Authority (ACGA). For more information, see adamsalliance.org, follow us on Facebook (Facebook.com/AdamsAlliance), X, formerly Twitter (@AdamsAlliance), Instagram (@adamscountypa) and LinkedIn (Adams Economic Alliance), or contact us at 717-334-0042.

This column originally published in the Gettysburg Times, September 12, 2024.