¡HICA! Receives Prestigious CED Planning Grant: A Milestone for Economic Development in Alabama
¡HICA! Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
October 27, 2023
¡HICA! Receives Prestigious CED Planning Grant: A Milestone for Economic Development in Alabama
Birmingham, AL – The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!) proudly announces its receipt of a $150,000 Community Economic Development (CED) Planning Grant from the Office of Community Services (OCS) within the US Department of Health and Human Services. This noteworthy recognition underscores the commitment and potential of ¡HICA! to lead transformative economic change in Alabama.
Significantly, ¡HICA! is the only organization in Alabama to secure an active CED Program grant. This milestone illustrates both the importance of the proposed project and the trusted role of ¡HICA! within the community.
The CED program, a beacon of hope for areas stricken by high unemployment and poverty rates, aids in poverty alleviation by promoting job creation for low-income individuals. Community-driven economic development forms the heart of CED projects. The introduction of CED planning grants aims to empower community development corporations (CDCs) in high-poverty areas, giving them the necessary resources to conceive viable CED projects.
¡HICA!'s pioneering project aims to transform Jefferson County, a region with significant economic distress and a sizable Latino population facing multiple challenges, including limited English proficiency and higher poverty rates compared to the state's white population. The grant will enable ¡HICA! to establish a centralized resource center and business incubator designed specifically for immigrant-owned businesses and create pathways to access capital. This project's objectives include:
• Hiring a Community Development Specialist.
• Conducting data collection and receiving technical assistance.
• Strengthening community outreach and partnerships.
• Designing a comprehensive business strategy to aid immigrant entrepreneurs.
In alliance with local stakeholders, ¡HICA! is poised to undertake planning activities that will culminate in the launch of the resource center and business incubator, fueling entrepreneurship and generating full-time job opportunities in Jefferson County.
"We are deeply honored to receive this CED planning grant, which reaffirms our mission to champion economic equality in our community," says Carlos Alemán, CEO of ¡HICA!. "This grant is more than just funding; it's an opportunity to reshape the economic landscape of Jefferson County and lift up immigrant business owners who dream of a brighter, more inclusive future."
The vision and commitment of ¡HICA! stand as a testament to the transformative power of community-driven initiatives. As the only active CED Program grant recipient in Alabama, ¡HICA! is setting a precedent for sustainable and equitable economic growth in the region.
For more information or press inquiries, please contact:
Silvia Espinosa-Laxson
Director of Development and Communications, ¡HICA!
sespinosa@hicaalabama.org
205-942-5505
About Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!):
¡HICA! is a community development and advocacy organization that champions economic equality, civic engagement, and social justice for Latino and immigrant families in Alabama.