20 U.S. Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Receive USHCC Foundation CasaCyber Technology Incubator Grants Funded by the AT&T Foundation

April 28, 2006; 07:51 AM

SAN ANTONIO - According to a U.S. Census report, Hispanics are starting businesses at faster rates than any other segment of the population, and by 2007, one out of 10 businesses will be Hispanic-owned.

As the number of new Hispanic-owned businesses continues to grow, so does the need for the technology resources that help these startups grow and mature. To help meet this need, the USHCC Foundation -- through grant support provided by the AT&T Foundation -- today unveiled 19 new CasaCyber Community Technology Centers in cities throughout the United States. The 20th center was unveiled in Louisiana in March 2006, as part of an effort to provide relief to the region after Hurricane Katrina.

Funded by a $500,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), to the USHCC Foundation, the 20 new technology projects will lead to the development of centers that are community-based and focused on small-business incubation. The centers will be operated and managed by USHCC-affiliated local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

"Hispanic entrepreneurs are vital contributors to the U.S. economy, and this program will ensure that more small-business owners have a chance to succeed," said U.S. Rep. Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "Small-business incubation centers such as these will help create new jobs and enhance a community's entrepreneurial climate. I am proud to support the USHCC Foundation in helping turn dreams into reality."

The CasaCyber Community Technology Centers will help incubate businesses by providing technology infrastructure resources necessary for small startup businesses to get off the ground. At the centers, entrepreneurs and small businesses will be able to access resources such as computers, access to the Internet, office space, business-related services and a network of business-related contacts.

"Today's startup businesses have the potential to positively impact tomorrow's communities. Access to computers, business software and the Internet is an increasingly essential tool for business success," said Laura Sanford, president of the AT&T Foundation. "We are committed to working with Hispanic Chambers across the country to support emerging Hispanic business leaders, and we applaud Rep. Charles Gonzalez for his leadership in helping meet the capacity needs of the growing Hispanic business community."

"The USHCC Foundation is very proud to be making this announcement today of seed grants to our local Hispanic Chambers throughout the country," said Frank Lopez, president of the USHCC Foundation. "These seed grants along with the leveraged funds that each chamber has been able to produce, will help provide valuable resources to our startup Hispanic businesses by giving them access to the necessary equipment and resources that will help their businesses evolve and grow, positively impacting the economic landscape of their respective communities."

Recipients were selected through a competitive application process, developed and managed by the USHCC Foundation, open to local Hispanic Chambers across the country with current USHCC member status. Each chamber will work with the USHCC Foundation to implement, manage and sustain the projects and begin to grow businesses that will be able to contribute to the economic stability, growth and success of the chosen communities. Regional recipients include:

-- Little Rock Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Little Rock, Ark.

-- Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach, Calif.

-- Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, San Jose, Calif.

-- Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Santa Ana, Calif.

-- San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco, Calif.

-- Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fresno, Calif.

-- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Silicon Valley, San Jose, Calif.

-- San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, San Diego, Calif.

-- Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta, Ga.

-- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn.

-- Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Southfield, Mich.

-- Morris County Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce, Morristown, N.J.

-- Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Lynbrook, N.Y.

-- Brooklyn (Kings County) Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn, N.Y.

-- Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma City, Okla.

-- Lehigh Valley LCC/Berks County HCC and SBDC of Kutztown University, Pa.

-- Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Midland, Texas

-- Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Austin, Texas

-- El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, El Paso, Texas

In addition, the USHCC Foundation with financial support from the AT&T Foundation provided a special CasaCyber award to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana (HCCL), located in Metairie, La. The funds from this grant have been leveraged into a partnership between the HCCL, Southeastern Louisiana University, Catholic Charities and Jefferson Parish School District. This partnership has led to the opening of the Hispanic Business Resource and Technology Center (HBRTC) in March. Along with other services to the Hispanic community, the HBRTC is helping impacted businesses get back on their feet after the unprecedented disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina.

For more information on this program please visit the USHCC Foundation Web site at www.ushccfoundation.org.

About USHCC Foundation

The USHCC Foundation is committed to the advancement of the Hispanic community's economic development and entrepreneurship skills through the empowerment of Hispanic-owned businesses, growth of the Hispanic chamber of commerce network and promotion of life-long learning experiences for Hispanic youth and entrepreneurs. The Foundation's broad-based approach is coupled with a proactive strategy, which is reflected in the diverse number of USHCC Foundation-driven programs created to reach constituencies of all age groups and needs. More information about the USHCC Foundation is available at www.ushccfoundation.org or at www.ushccfoundationtv.org.

About the New AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with more than 55.8 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at www.att.com.

About the New AT&T Foundation

The AT&T Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc., supports programs that build communities and improve access to information technologies, technology training and professional skills development. The new AT&T Foundation will provide more than $60 million in 2006 in charitable contributions, thereby placing it among the top five largest corporate foundations in the country. The new AT&T Foundation combines over 40 years and $1.7 billion of philanthropic commitment to communities across the country.