Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Creates the Hispanic Business, Trade and Culture Commission
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt signed executive order 05-43 creating the Hispanic Business, Trade and Culture Commission, which better address the needs of the growing Hispanic business community in Missouri.
"I created the Hispanic Business, Trade and Culture Commission to ensure that our state is responding to issues impacting Hispanic businesses," Blunt said. "Businesses who identify themselves as Hispanic are a growing part of Missouri’s business climate, and it is vital that they have a voice."
The commission will act as an advisory board to the Department of Economic Development’s Office of International Trade and Investment regarding trade and investment issues important to the Hispanic business community in Missouri. The group will also serve as a clearing house on matters concerning the economic needs of Hispanic businesses, monitor legislative issues relevant to the Hispanic business community and recommend proposed legislation to the Department of Economic Development.
The commission will be responsible for submitting recommendations to the Office of International Trade and Investment and private entities concerning business development issues for Hispanic Missourians.
The group will be made up of citizen members and one ex-officio member from the Office of International Trade and Investment. The director of the Department of Economic Development will appoint the citizen members and designate the ex-officio member. The governor will select the chair and vice chair of the commission.
Commission members will include business owners, founding members of not-for-profit organizations and representatives for all of the defined economic regions in the state. No more than nine members can be from the same political party.
By signing executive order 05-43, Blunt abolished the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs.
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