THATCHER — When it comes to purchasing power, Hispanics in America generate more revenue than the gross domestic product of all but eight countries in the world.
That was the message Dan Valle brought to Thatcher on Wednesday, when the Tucson Hispanic Chamber celebrated the new membership of Eastern Arizona College.
“We think that by doing the presentations that we did here today, we continue to do that regionally, we’re going to get that word out,” Valle said. “Every time we do that we get, ‘A-ha. I get it. I know why you guys are called the Hispanic Chamber.’ ”
Hispanic Americans spent about $1.7 trillion nationwide last year, and they accounted for about $47 billion in spending in Arizona. Meanwhile Mexican visitors to Arizona spent an additional $2.3 billion last year.
Valle, regional director for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber, offered a presentation outlining how his organization helps local business tap into that purchasing, as well as source material and services from other businesses and Mexico, and how there are sales opportunities for American businesses across the border.
Currently, Hispanics account for about 31 percent of Arizona’s population, but that demographic is expected to climb past 50 percent by 2030.
