Photos from March's Multicultural Networking Event at JAXPORT
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President's Message - Giselle Carson
 Spring is here! and it is time to reinvigorate and update your goals. Come and join us at Honda of the Avenues on April 16 to learn about doing business with the government and to network. Our government is the world's largest buyer of goods and services, with purchases totaling more than $425 billion per year. Join us to learn the basics of selling to the government and how to get started and pursue opportunities to obtain a government contract.
Also, Thank You to JAXPORT for hosting an excellent multicultural learning and networking event that provided participants with ideas on how to tap into business opportunities at JAXPORT and in our local market. The event also provided us with an exclusive bus tour of our region's newest trade terminal, the TraPac Container Terminal at Dames Point, and the booming Blount Island Marine Terminal. See photographs of this great event in this newsletter and local media.
To continued success and happiness!
Giselle
Board Member's Message - Nelson Estepa
 I would like to introduce myself as one of your First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Members. In mid 2004, I was invited to a FCHCC Networking Event and later decided to join. FCHCC has provided me with an opportunity to meet many extraordinary people among the Hispanic Business community of Jacksonville Florida.
In 2006, then FCHCC President Leon Carrero, thought I could play an active role in the FCHCC journey to the future success of our organization and nominated me to the Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large. Today, I am proud to serve as FCHCC Director of Membership Committee.
Membership is a very important and fundamental aspect of any organization. And our committee is totally devoted to succeed in its mission to the FCHCC and on behalf of the Hispanic Community.
I was born in New York, but grew up and went to school in Puerto Rico. I married my lovely wife, Gloria Estepa, who remains my sweetheart after 43 years of successful marriage. Early in life I joined the US Armed Forces, initially as a foot soldier and after graduating from college became a junior officer. Consequently, I retired with 27 years of service to our country as a Lieutenant Colonel. Afterwards, I also retired from the US Civil Service with 30 years of combined service to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the US Army.
As a means to maintain myself physically and mentally active, I have become an Auto Concierge. In this role I find vehicles for individuals who due to their busy work schedule, lack the time to shop for the automobile of choice.
Anyone interested in my services can contact me with their specific information about the vehicle of choice and its characteristics. I will find the desired vehicle at a similar or lower price than a dealership without the efforts or expense of driving between auto dealers. Currently, I work with Chrysler, Ford, GM and Honda vehicles, however soon will expand to other brands.
As we begin our 2009 journey, I would like to encourage you to remain involved with FCHCC and refer prospect members to our Membership Committee. You can do so by electronic mail to fchcc@fchcc.com .
For more information, please visit our website at fchcc@fchcc.com.
Nelson
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Membership Spotlight - Trailer Bridge, Inc.
 Founded in 1991 by transportation pioneer Malcom P. McLean, Trailer Bridge provides modern integrated trucking and marine freight transportation services between the United States, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Trailer Bridge is the only carrier that combines the utilization of its own equipment, U.S based trucks and drivers and vessels, allowing for true single-carrier responsibility.
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Trailer Bridge owns and operates seven vessels; two triple deck roll on/roll off vessels which are the largest of their kind in the world and five Triplestack Box Carrier® (TBCTM) vessels, the first built for the Puerto Rico Trade in over 15 years. Trailer Bridge provides two sailings per week between Jacksonville and San Juan, PR and fortnightly sailing between Jacksonville and Puerto Plata, DR. We specialize in transporting 53-foot high cube containers which have over 60% more cubic capacity than the standard 40-foot container. In addition, the versatility of our vessels allows us to transport thousands of new and used automobiles, boats, and heavy equipment each year.
Trailer Bridge also offers an environmentally superior transportation system. Our marine transportation system relies on a more refined distillate fuel - compared to the heavy, residual bunker fuel most of our competitors use. Our fuel has less than one-seventh the particulate matter, or soot, in terms of grams per kilowatt-hour compared to residual bunker fuel. This is a crucial environmental issue because marine engines account for much of the air pollution in coastal areas. In 2006, Trailer Bridge was the first marine carrier to join the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership. And, in 2008, Trailer Bridge became the first marine carrier to receive an Environmental Excellence Award from the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities.
For more information, please visit our website at www.trailerbridge.com or call us at 800-727-3859.
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Florida and the Federal Recovery Act
 Under the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 up to $13.4 billion in federal stimulus dollars will be pumped into Florida's economy. These dollars will help Florida avoid deep cuts and prevent tax increases; provide assistance in education, transportation, unemployment compensation, renewable energy and other aid; and create jobs and stimulate the economy.
The Florida Recovery website provides a clearinghouse of all public records and documents related to the implementation of the federal stimulus dollars, as well as a one-stop resource for citizens interested in learning more about assistance made available by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Here's a brief Q&A:
Q: How will the federal stimulus package help Florida?
A: As Governor Crist stated in his certification letter to the
President, "Now, at a time when many families are facing extraordinary
difficulties due to the decline in the economy, it is critical that we
ensure that Floridians are able to access the federal resources made
available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."
Florida expects to receive approximately $13 billion over the three
years of the program. More funding is possible if Florida's state
agencies, local governments, not-for-profits, businesses and schools
are successful in competitive grant programs.
ARRA funding is allocated in various ways, including extensions of
existing benefits such as unemployment compensation, grants based on
population formulas, competitive grants and discretionary grants.
[ Read more...> ]
Q: When will the stimulus funding get to Main Street?
A: It
is crucial to commit these funds quickly and responsibly to create jobs
and help families and businesses in need. Some funding is already
flowing into Florida's economy. The additional unemployment
compensation funding will be released to the state by mid-March 2009.
Transportation project funding, for example, 50% of the highway funds
must be obligated within 120 days and all of the funds within one year
or the funds will be reallocated to other states. For each program
federal agencies are in the process of establishing dates and deadlines
for delivering funds, contracts, and reporting.
[ Read More... > ]
To get more information about the Florida Recovery package as well as view Governor Crist's message, visit the Florida Recovery website at www.flarecovery.com.
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April 2009 Calendar of Events
Women's Business Rountable - "Marketing Your Business &
SBA Financial Assistance Programs"
Date: Friday, April 3, 2009
Time: 11:45 AM - 2 PM
Location: SBA District Office
Address: 7825 Baymeadows Way,
Suite #100-B
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
This brown bag rountable workshop is FREE, but reservations are required. To reserve your space, please contact Donna padgug at (904) 443-1971 or email at: donna.padgug@sba.gov.
Also, parking is FREE!
Doing Business with the Government
Date: April 16, 2009
Time: 6 - 8 PM
Location: Honda of the Avenues
Address: 11333 Phillips Hwy.,
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
RSVP: by Wednesday, April 15th before noon to: fchcc@fchcc.com
More Information: Event will include short presentations on how to do business with the government and excellent networking.
Also, please note that this is on the 3rd Thursday.
Visit www.fchcc.com for future meeting dates.
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FCHCC Has a New Email Address
 As we continue to enhance our organization, you will notice small changes. One of these changes our general chamber email address is now fchcc@fchcc.com. Please update your address books and use this email for any communications.
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Job Opportunities
Position: Account Executive, Public & Media Relations
Employer: Brunet-Garcia Multicultural Advertising & PR
Position: Internal Auditor
Employer: Crowley Maritime Corp.
Position: Port Captain
Employer: Crowley Maritime Corp.
For more information or to apply for any of these positions, please visit our website here.
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FCHCC has New Trustees!
A BIG Thank You to
Citi and Publix who are now Silver Trustees. And to...CSX and Brunet-García Multicultural Advertising & PR who are now a Gold Trustees!
The
FCHCC recognizes the leadership and support of these leading
organizations which are also our trustees.
If you would like additional information
about this important program, please click here to learn more. |
FCHCC Accepts Credit Card Payments for New Memberships and Renewals
You can now pay to join FCHCC or renew your membership with any of these credit cards.
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The First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC) strives to establish and encourage better business practices among Hispanic-owned and -operated businesses in northeast Florida and south Georgia. All business professionals, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic, are welcome to become involved with our Chamber. The FCHCC also strives to foster understanding of Hispanic heritage through educational endeavors, business opportunities and social interaction.
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To learn more about the FCHCC, please visit us on the web at www.fchcc.com. Or send us e-mail at: fchcc@fchcc.com.
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