Hispanic group looks to Central, South America to bring more jobs to Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — A business recruitment mission is planning a trip to Central and South America to find more companies that want to invest in Central Florida’s economy.

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Channel 9 anchor Alexa Lorenzo reports the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando is a driving force, bringing more jobs to Central Florida.

Central Florida is thriving.

You see it in the construction, the traffic, and the creation of new businesses.

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The impacts of all of this growth are far-reaching.

“I think this is gonna be the hub of economic growth at a global level,” said Gaby Ortigoni, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando

Ortigoni has been tracking the boom.

“We already have 1,000 people moving to Central Florida every week and many of them come from Latin America, Puerto Rico and many other states that are Hispanic descent,” Ortigoni said.

That rush without a doubt is driving economic growth strengthening Hispanic business in Central Florida.

“I think after the pandemic a lot of people started looking for new opportunities not only to come here and make Central Florida home but also how could they contribute to the economy opening a business, becoming professionals,” Ortigoni said.

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Ortigoni has been president and CEO for five years, and within that time she says membership has grown roughly 30% year over year.

“Right now we have close to 2,000 members so we’re very proud of that we’re actually one of the largest chambers in the region and were one of the largest Hispanic chambers in the nation,” she said.

The chamber also goes out to recruit businesses to expand to Central Florida.

The group traveled to Puerto Rico in 2021 with the goal of long-term growth for both economies.

This year, that mission will continue with the chamber heading to Panama and Columbia

“We have a lot of investors who are looking at Central Florida to diversify their investments and we want them to look at Central Florida as their investment destination.

Watch: Date set for 2023 Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival in Orlando

Channel 9 will have live coverage Saturday at 11 a.m. of the 2023 Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival.

The event in downtown Orlando will embrace Puerto Rico’s culture, and celebrate the city of Loiza, a community known for preserving the island’s African ancestry.

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