Charlotte is the largest city in the North Carolina, it's the 16th largest city in the U.S. based on the population, and it is one of fastest growing cities in the United States.

Also, it's stealthily becoming one of the fastest emerging Hispanic markets in the country.

Home of the Charlotte Hornets (NBA) and the Carolina Panthers (NFL), and 199 metro neighborhoods, the city additionally boasts a bevy of cultural hotspots. And yet, perhaps what's most impressive is the city's budding economy. The city is morphing into a major U.S. financial center; and the Bank of America, the nation's second largest financial institution by assets, calls the city home.

Banks and finances are not the Queen City's only forte, however. Charlotte has a diverse palate when it comes to businesses; likewise, the city has a diverse population. Hispanics and African Americans cumulatively surpassed the number of non-Hispanic whites in Charlotte, North Carolina years ago. Yes, 35 percent of the population in Charlotte is African American, but this does not overshadow the 13.1 percent Hispanic population dwelling in the city (not including the undocumented population). Charlotte has emerged as an ideal setting for Hispanic marketing and business growth, and Latinos' efforts in the business sector increasingly has a weighty impact on the city's economy.

There are a few success companies (Fortune 500 companies and otherwise) that live in Charlotte. To name a few: Lowe's (in suburban Mooresville), Duke Energy, Sonic Automotive, Family Dollar, Chiquita Brands International, Harris Teeter, Lance, Inc, Carolina Foods Inc, Bojangles', Food Lion, Compass Group USA, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (Charlotte is the nation's second largest Coca-Cola bottler), Continental Tire the Americas, LLC., Meineke Car Care Center and U.S. Airways. In addition to that, the city's top employers are some fairly lucrative firms, including Carolinas HealthCare System, Wells Fargo, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Walmart, Bank of America Lowe's Novant Health, American Airlines, Harris Teeter and Duke Energy.

Dubbed the new immigrant gateway state, North Carolina happens to be the parent to the enterprising city, Charlotte. And on the subject of parenthood, births to foreign-born immigrants from Central and South America have steadily increased in the city of Charlotte (90 percent of all Hispanic mothers were foreign-born in 2000, according to a study from the Economic Impact Task Force of the Mayor's International Cabinet). There's an unsurpassed Mexican American population and undocumented individuals with citizenship and residency issues are very present in Charlotte. These facts reveal the presence of the Spanish-dominated Hispanic population in the city, proving the number of Latino bodies that contribute to the work force and different levels of business. It also brings visibility to the diverse population of Latinos, who'll likely spend a great deal of money as they mature.

In Charlotte, businesses and industries that service the Latino population has increased. Simultaneously, there's increased likelihood that Latinos will move into these companies, and populate its branches with bilingual and bicultural individuals carrying political and economic influence. There's also an increased likelihood of Latinos heading their own businesses.

According to a study by UNC Charlotte researchers for the Charlotte Chamber, there are 7,010 Hispanic-owned businesses in Charlotte. Nine percent of those Hispanic-owned businesses are employer firms with 5,247 workers. And these companies earn $1.1 billion in yearly sales and $200 million in annual payroll. The growth in the mid-market Hispanic-designated market areas mirror the growth that occurred in Los Angeles and New York just a few decades ago. If one were to look at the past to predict the future, they'd cite the fact that market growth increased 168 percent between 2000 and 2013 in Charlotte.

With fast population growth, come fast-growing markets. Hispanic buying power has proven to be most instrumental in urban areas, such as Charlotte. And the Hispanic market in Charlotte, as well as Raleigh and Durham, grows at a rate that's several times faster than the state. In the city of Charlotte, young Hispanics set the trends for young adults of every ethnicity and race. Hispanic households, more so than non-Hispanics, spend more money on telephone services, groceries, gas and motor-oil, vehicle purchases, major appliances, clothing, footwear, men's and children's clothing, and footwear. And Latinos spend a large sum of money on beauty sales; this is particularly true for Latinas.

Latino "Charlotteans" tend to spend more on housing, or primarily rental housing, according to stats from the North Carolina Instititute of Minority Economic Development. Yet they're less likely to be homeowners, although the homeownership gap continues to close as business opportunities rise. Non-Hispanics are outspending Hispanics when it comes to essentials like health care, entertainment, education, personal insurance and pensions.

Nonetheless, the international and U.S.-born Latino population of Charlotte has a direct impact on government funded services, public education systems, social services, health service and the judicial system. And Charlotte, as it turns out, works so well for Latinos because it's a city that understands their needs.

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