By José A. Ayala
On Tuesday night, May 12 a meeting of Latino merchants was held sponsored by the organization, “Lawrence Partnership” to establish a dialogue with other dealers of the Latino community in Lawrence on issues affecting this important sector of the economy.
The meeting was held in a pleasant atmosphere and camaraderie at RM Technologies, 530 Broadway, in the presence of a large group of traders and Latino leaders, including Brian De Peña, owner of Tenares Tire Services; Saturnino Peralta of El Pez Dorado Restaurant; Gumersindo Frias, Ulloa Shipping; Rafael Guzman, RM Technologies; Alberto Nunez, Alberto Nunez Real Estate Management; Dalia Diaz Newspaper Rumbo; Julia Silverio, Silverio Insurance; Benny Espaillat, Berkeley Shoes; attorney Wendy Estrella,Estrella Law Office; Ralph Carrero, Superintendent Lawrence Family Development Charter School, among others.
Derek Mitchell, Executive Director of Lawrence Partnership, said the organization wants to hear the concerns of Latino merchants in Lawrence and serve as a bridge to help grow your business through flexible loans, investments, technical assistance and other areas, but stressed that they must come and talk to him about these or any other issues of your business. Jokingly, he promised he would pay for coffee and it would in Spanish because he is bilingual.
In addition to Mitchell, some of the Board of Directors of Lawrence Partnership are Rafael Guzman, Benny Espaillat, Wendy Star, Alberto Nunez, Jose Pino, Julia Silverio and Dalia Diaz.
Julia Silverio emphasized that one of the biggest obstacles faced by young Latino business is the lack of organization and education on business management. She said it is important that merchants come to Lawrence Partnership and express their concerns and ideas.
For his part, Brian Peña explained that though certainly education is important in business, his experience as a businessman in Lawrence has taught him that, besides being prepared there are more important things for the small merchant such as getting fair lending and that taxes are not so high.
Saturnino Peralta said that small businesses have many problems like high utility costs and high taxes that have led to bankruptcy for many merchants.
“The electricity and gas, for example, are ‘killing businesses’. In relation to a year and a half ago, costs have soared from 90% -150% more. I know some businesses that have closed. The high price of electricity is unsustainable,” Peralta said.
Mitchell said that while Lawrence Partnership cannot help traders in matters of taxation, yes there are flexible loans to upgrade boilers and other heating equipment to lower energy costs. He added that these cost savings in 5-7 years you can pay this loan.
Mitchell said that precisely this will be one of the functions that have the so-called “Venture Fund” of the organization that will offer flexible loans for modernization and upgrading of small businesses as a way to lower costs and increase profits.
Meanwhile, Silverio reiterated that the organization’s purpose is not to resolve the problems of small businesses.
“It is an organization that is seeking to promote Lawrence as a positive city where you can come to work and work, and where people should not be afraid to invest,” she said.
“We don’t want our small businesses to be left out of this movement that is happening in the city. We have to understand once and for all that we are responsible for the positive changes we want to see in this city,” said the entrepreneur.
She said education is key for traders to remain competitive, and the motivation to improve their business should come from them.
“We have to motivate our people to be the ones who say ‘I want to be part of this because I live in Lawrence, and I want this city to improve and because if the city improves it will be to my advantage’, reiterated Julia, to the applause of the audience.
And she firmly stressed: “I want to make it clear that the purpose of this group is to bring the necessary funds and a sense of trust in this community.”
Julia said that “it’s not about us, but our children and our grandchildren. We have to step aside and start pushing these young people. We will stay behind them giving them the support they need,” she added.
The words of Doña Julia Silverio, seem to resonate in the mission of the organization, published on its website, www.lawrencepartnership.org: “Lawrence Partnership is a collaboration of the private/public sectors for economic development and general improvement of the City of Lawrence.” But so it reflects what seems to be their motto: Ideas, Investment, Action.
Lawrence Partnership is currently supported by NECC and local authorities of the City of Lawrence pursuing funding for the construction of a new police station and regional training center for public safety.
The young group is also managing the refurbishment of an old alley or passage, like so many in Lawrence, stretching from Common St. to Essex St.
The project would be developed in stages beginning in the block between the Hampshire St. and Lawrence St. for students of Northern Essex Community College and the general public to serve them more easily as a pedestrian street that leads them to businesses and area offices. The idea would be extended later to other business areas of the city as a way to make them more attractive to investors and consumers.
Lawrence Partnership currently receives no state or federal funding and is supported financially with funds provided by its members.
Tuesday night’s activity was also attended by Mayor Dan Rivera, State Senator Barbara L’Italien, as well as State Representatives Diana DiZoglio, Frank Moran and Marcos Devers, and District C Councilor Kendrys Vasquez who is also the Chairman of the Budget Committee at the City Council. Between hugs and handshakes Pavel Payano, School Committee member and former Massachusetts Senate candidate also enjoyed the gathering.
Lawrence Partnership was launched on November 21 last year with the support and advice of Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex Community College, as well as well-known Latino local business leaders.
“This group is taking valuable lessons from similar projects in the cities of Lowell and Salem, Massachusetts. It is estimated that it will take about twenty years, but we can see the results achieved in those cities. We can begin to improve business throughout Essex Street making the commercial area of the city more attractive to buyers, “as written on that occasion in the newspaper Rumbo.
Lawrence Partnership has its offices in the new Northern Essex Community College building at 420 Common Street, Lawrence, telephone 978 655-5824. Website: lawrencepartnership.org.
