Jorge Figueroa President Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Jorge Figueroa talked to Invest: about the ways in which the Puerto Rican community in Central Florida has flourished during his tenure as president of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce, as he continues to dedicate himself to his community and cultivate relationships with the island of Puerto Rico.
Could you describe a few highlights for the chamber over the last few years?
During my time with the chamber, we have grown our yearly El Josco Awards Gala to over 450 attendees, and we look to surpass that total again this year. Our gala celebrates unsung heroes of the community who do extraordinary things but who are often overlooked. We’ve also created the Future Leaders Scholarship Program, which is open to all Hispanic students in the area, regardless of documentation status, and I’m proud to say that about half of the scholarship recipients have been DACA recipients.
We’ve been able to sign various memorandums of understanding to strengthen our relationship with Puerto Rico. Our chamber is not exclusive to Puerto Ricans. We are inclusive and diverse, and our members come from all walks of life. We are the bridge to bringing in businesses from Puerto Rico that want to expand to Central Florida. Through this, we have strengthened relationships on the island in both political areas and also with private organizations like the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce in San Juan.
What measures are being implemented by the chamber to promote Puerto Rican business in Central Florida?
Puerto Ricans make up about 5% of the total population of Florida, and close to half of Florida’s Puerto Rican population lives in Central Florida. We all support Puerto Rican products and our people, so every time a new business or restaurant moves from Puerto Rico to this area, they’re going to receive full support. There are currently four new restaurants from Puerto Rico opening their doors in Central Florida within the next few months, and we have a hand in helping them become established here.
What are some of the strongest opportunities for Puerto Ricans in Central Florida?
Technology is a powerful area for growth, as Puerto Rico is the No. 1 importer of engineers to NASA. We have an extensive pool of talent in engineering. Coupled with advancing AI, this provides ample opportunity for business expansion. There’s a new generation of entrepreneurs on the island who are developing applications, technology and tools, specifically in regard to agriculture and cattle.
Florida’s synergy and likeness to Puerto Rico spurs this growth. We have a good labor force that is skilled in construction and engineering, and the tourism industry continues to grow. The exodus of many healthcare professionals from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States is also creating a massive need for healthcare in Puerto Rico, especially since Hurricane Maria. Additionally, the Osceola County School District’s Chamber travels to Puerto Rico three times a year to recruit teachers, but this is also causing a loss for students on the island as professionals continue searching for better opportunities in the United States.
What are the key challenges facing Puerto Rican entrepreneurs in Central Florida, and how is the chamber working to address these challenges?
One of the most difficult challenges for incoming businesses is adapting to a new environment. The codes and laws are completely different here, and many times, entrepreneurs don’t take the time to educate themselves as to what rules they need to follow. This results in great financial losses. They also need to change their mentality to understand that they are now in the United States of America, and they should capitalize on the available opportunities, like obtaining certifications and tapping into government and corporate contracts. A lot of times our businesses don’t feel capable of doing this, or they are scared of failure and don’t take the time to prepare for these opportunities.
What are the chamber’s Lead Groups and how are they helping to improve the businesses and communities that they serve?
Chamber Lead Groups are another challenge. There are a few chambers here in the region that steer away from these groups because most of us are volunteers and are usually small-business owners with very little free time, so balancing work and a leadership position in an organization like this can prove to be difficult; however, these groups are the engine that makes the chambers go around. We service four counties, so our staff can’t be everywhere. These groups are important to promote the organization and to provide resources, workshops and education to members.
Over the next half decade, how would you define success for the chamber, and what do you hope to achieve?
From the beginning of my administration four years ago, I have endeavored to cultivate strong roots. The Puerto Rican Chamber was inactive when I entered my position. I want to make sure that when I am no longer the president, the chamber is on such a strong footing that its credibility, integrity and influence continue to foster understanding of the value of being a member both in Central Florida and on the island. I want people to recognize the good we’ve done.
I perform advocacy in Washington, D.C., and I’m always looking for opportunities to bring businesses into this area. We have great assets in Florida, like NeoCity in Osceola, so we are trying to identify the companies that can bring their manufacturing to Florida. We want to have a true impact, which takes time and a lot of work. It’s been challenging, but all of these small steps can lead to great results.
