– Milwaukee is launch city for environmental sustainability education program June 8 and 9-

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation has accepted a $500,000 grant from Walmart to support the national USHCC Foundation Green Builds Business initiative designed to educate Hispanic entrepreneurs on environmental sustainability. The USHCC Foundation has selected Milwaukee as the launch-city for the program which will tour 11 cities across the United States this year.

The Green Builds Business Program is a full day of coaching on best green practices adopted by companies like Walmart in an effort to lower operating costs, increase revenues, and motivate workers while enhancing the health of people and the planet.

“We selected Milwaukee as our kick-off city because of the opportunity to partner with the Latino Entrepreneurial Network (LEN) of SE Wisconsin, our 2010 Small Business Chamber of the Year, and the Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute,” says Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the USHCC. “The partnership with Walmart for the Green Builds Business program will allow the USHCC to provide Hispanic businesses with relevant training and coaching to develop long term sustainable, green strategies that can be integrated into their overall business plans to improve their profitability and longevity.”

“We are very proud to co-host this program with the USHCC in Milwaukee,” says Nelson Soler, President of LEN and owner of the Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute. “The Green Builds Business program will accelerate the growth of our local business and enhance our environment.”

The USHCC Foundation will select 20 small businesses from Milwaukee to participate in a one-day workshop on best practices for: pricing, marketing and branding that grow green revenues; reducing environmental footprint and operating costs; and motivating work associates with opportunities that help the company and the planet.

The Green Builds Business training sessions will be led by Bill Roth, Green Business Coach for Entrepreneur.com and President of NCCT, a San Francisco-based consulting firm that helps businesses define and integrate sustainability into their strategies, performance metrics, business processes, branding and marketing. At least one business will be selected to receive up to 24 hours of one-on-one green coaching (a $6,000 value) 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.

“This grant is designed to help Hispanic entrepreneurs realize the tremendous business benefits of sustainability while also helping reduce their impact on the environment,” said Andrea Thomas, senior vice president of sustainability at Walmart. “Every dollar these businesses save through sustainable practices is another dollar they can use to grow their companies.”

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