– Milwaukee business owners benefit from environmental sustainability education program –

MILWAUKEE, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USHCCF) is proud to announce two Milwaukee businesses, Golden Wisdom Company and La Merenda, as the winners of its Green Builds Business program in Milwaukee, a national initiative, launched last month by the USHCC Foundation and funded by a grant from Walmart, designed to educate Hispanic business entrepreneurs on environmental sustainability.

“The Green Builds Business program has helped approximately 30 Milwaukee business owners in the development of an exciting range of green projects that hold great promise for creating jobs and making a difference,” says Nelson Soler, founder of the Multi-Cultural Institute which hosted the Green Builds Business program in Milwaukee.

Charles Vang of Golden Wisdom Company and Peter Sandroni of La Merenda have been selected as the Green Builds Business Milwaukee winners for one-on-one green coaching from Bill Roth, founder of Earth 2017, to formulate a green business plan or implement a green project that holds the potential of creating jobs, growing profits and reducing emissions this year. Vang’s project is focused upon enabling urban gardens offering senior citizens healthier diets plus exercise. Sandroni has an innovative concept for placing an herb garden on the roof of his La Merenda restaurant building with the produce being used as menu ingredients.

“The projects for Golden Wisdom Company and La Merenda are focused on urban gardening, which is a growing green mega-trend being adopted by food businesses and land-developers as a path for growing revenues while also creating employment opportunities and community health benefits through improved diets,” Roth explains.

Roth will provide a total of 18 coaching hours to these two winners, a $4,500 value. In addition, Roth will also provide an additional 6 hours of coaching to help advance projects tied to LED lighting, smartphone apps for HVAC equipment monitoring and greening of a commercial kitchen that is an additional $1,500 value.

“The USHCC Foundation and Walmart applaud the 30 businesses that participated in the Green Builds Business Program in Milwaukee and wish to express our congratulations to the two winners who are putting their green business concepts into practice. According to the USDA, several areas in Milwaukee are designated as food deserts. These innovative green business plans will surely help to alleviate this problem in a neighborhood that truly needs it,” says Javier Palomarez, USHCC President and CEO. “The Green Builds Business program is touring 11 cities across the United States this year and we look forward to seeing more success stories like those we have seen in Milwaukee.”

The next Green Builds Business Program will take place in Irving, Texas, on Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28, 2011. For more information on how to participate, please visit www.ushccfoundation.org or contact USHCC Foundation Director Jennifer Tarazon at (202) 715-0493 or jtarazon@ushcc.com.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The USHCC Foundation is committed to giving Hispanic entrepreneurs alternatives for life preparation and life-long learning by developing and implementing initiatives and educational campaigns to awaken and nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. The Foundation leverages corporate and public support to ensure that existing and aspiring Latino entrepreneurs gain access and achieve success in the world of business. Please visit www.ushccfoundation.org for more information on the USHCC Foundation.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation