Latino business owners have been making significant strides in the landscape of American business and their companies are emerging as a strong driving force in the American economy as well as the national political landscape. In response to these successes, a number of prominent Hispanic leaders have formed an organization, The National Association of State Latino Chambers of Commerce (NASLCC), to assist in continued advancement on this business front.

A tight-knit group of Latino leaders from all across the country have been collaborating informally over the past decade to assist members of state and local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in meeting their businesses needs and goals. In mid-February of 2016 a coalition of state Latino Chambers of Commerce came together to formalize and charter the NASLCC to help streamline and organize the work they've dedicated themselves to.

In addition to helping push for continued progress and growth in Latino-run businesses, the NASLCC will also offer assistance and expertise to other groups who are making similar contributions in terms of American business development. Aside from serving small businesses, the coalition says it will work with women, millenials and veterans whose companies are run by Latino entrepreneurs and who work in collaboration with Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

"This new organization will be the voice of the local Statewide Latino Chambers across the United States and Puerto Rico," Frank Garcia, NASLCC Chairman said in a statement. "Our small businesses are facing big challenges, the NASLCC will provide new solutions, and equip our members from across the country with needed management and financial literacy programs, and provide international trade and technology events with our corporate partners."

The NASLCC has vowed to leverage the synergy and representative power of each state involved in the organization, in hopes of making available the necessary resources, funding, and technical assistance at local, state, and regional levels to ensure future success.

The Association currently represents over four million Latino-owned businesses, with founding members that include the states of Calif., Fla., N.M., N.Y., Puerto Rico, Tex., and Ohio. According to recently published statistics, growth over the past ten years within this particular business demographic is 15 times the national average and revenues from Latino-owned companies are expected to exceed $661 billion in 2016.

"Hispanics now make up the majority in Calif.; our Hispanic owned businesses have played a significant role in jump starting our economy," Frank Montes, Vice-Chair of the NASLCC said in a statement. "In order to thrive in this changing environment of regulations and taxes, we need to arm our members with the resources they need to compete and win contracts...to continue growing."

The official launch for the NASLCC is scheduled to happen in the summer of 2016. The organization's national headquarters will be located in Sacramento, Calif., and the group says it has plans to open a D.C. office in the near future.

"The NASLCC will strive to always be inclusive, transparent, and represent the best interests of our members - ADELANTE!", Sam Guzman, NASLCC Treasurer said in a statement.