The Hispanic American community is deeply rooted in the history of the United States and is an integral part of the rich fabric of our nation. True to our mission of creating the conditions for economic growth and opportunity—for all Americans—the Commerce Department works every day to support and invest in the Hispanic business community to create jobs and promote economic growth.

As of April 1, 2020, the Hispanic share of the U.S. population was 18 percent, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s second largest racial or ethnic group. Hispanic-owned companies are a quickly growing segment of U.S. businesses. Hispanic-owned employer firms account for about 33 percent of all minority-owned employer firms in the U.S., contribute $472 billion in U.S. economic output, and produce 2.9 million jobs per year.

Many Commerce Department agencies offer a wide range of services to help U.S.-based companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and minority and women-owned businesses compete and be successful while strengthening the United States’ role as a global leader.

Below are a list of services and resources ranging from demographic data, grant opportunities, assistance with exporting as well as valuable resources for Hispanic American innovators, entrepreneurs, and minority-owned businesses.

• The Bureau of Economic Analysis releases data each year on Puerto Rico’s economy, including consumer spending and business investment. This gross domestic product, or GDP, data can be used by policymakers, businesses, and households on the island to make informed decisions. Information is available in both English and Spanish.
• The U.S. Census Bureau conducts various economic and business surveys and produces valuable data for the Hispanic community and minority-owned businesses —including detailed statistics that are essential to help small businesses succeed and grow. The U.S Census Bureau also offers the Census Business Builder (CBB), a robust application that provides selected demographic and economic data from the Census Bureau tailored to help users identify potential markets and better understand their industry in a simple to access and use format.
• The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides economic development assistance programs that empower communities. Across all its programs, EDA prioritizes equity in grant funding decisions. As EDA’s leading investment priority, equity ensures economic development planning and implementation projects directly benefit traditionally underserved populations, including the nation’s Hispanic community. Through EDA’s disaster recovery, public works, and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, state, local, and Tribal governments – as well as non-profit organizations – are able to access federal resources to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies. EDA also supports a network of more than 350 Revolving Loan Funds which support small businesses who might otherwise experience difficulty accessing the capital needed to grow and expand.
• The International Trade Administration (ITA) provides resources and customized services for businesses and minority-owned businesses currently participating in exporting and services to businesses and minority-owned businesses that are new to exporting. This includes online resources in planning an export strategy, choosing the best markets for your product, and evaluating potential foreign business partners in advance.  
• The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the only federal agency solely dedicated to helping minority-owned businesses grow and compete globally. Hispanic and other minority-owned firms looking to enter new markets, both domestic and global, can turn to a MBDA Business Centers for expert guidance, funding information, and access to valuable resources. These centers are in areas with high concentrations of minority populations and businesses, making them easily accessible for entrepreneurs seeking support.  MBDA offers programs like the Capital Readiness Program which provide technical support to empower minority and underserved entrepreneurs in growing and scaling their businesses. 
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) maintains the Small Business Cybersecurity Corner (SBCC), a hub for cybersecurity resources and information for small business owners. The SBCC offers cybersecurity guidance, solutions, and training that is practical, actionable, and enables them to cost-effectively address and manage their cybersecurity risks. The vast majority of smaller businesses rely on information technology to run their businesses and to store, process, and transmit information. Protecting this information from unauthorized disclosure, modification, use, or deletion is essential for those companies and their customers.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) supports the training and graduation of students in NOAA mission disciplines at minority serving institutions. The EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program supports students directly through awards to successful applicants who attend MSIs. Cooperative Science Centers funded by the program and led by MSIs support post-secondary students and increase education and research capacity at MSIs in NOAA mission fields. NOAA also provides a small business hub, with the goal of creating an environment for optimal participation by small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone, Veteran Owned SB and SDVOSB, and woman-owned businesses in NOAA contract awards.
• The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers a hub for resources and information for inventors, entrepreneurs, and small and minority-owned businesses. Through this hub, they offer access to intellectual property (IP) resources, including free services, events and trainings, and information on applying for a patent or trademark. In addition, the USPTO created a new Hispanic inventors and entrepreneurs page, highlighting inspiring stories of Hispanic innovators (available in both English in Spanish), as well as programming such as a series for entrepreneurs and businesses protecting their IP in Mexico and the annual Hispanic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program.
• Commerce Grants and Funding Opportunities: This site offers a one-stop shop to search for all open grant opportunities at all Commerce bureaus. In addition, various Commerce agencies offer grant and Federal contracting opportunities, including resources for contractors through the Office of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization (OSDBU).

Additional government tools and resources for businesses, entrepreneurs and minority and women-owned businesses can also be found at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The U.S. Commerce Department recognizes that America’s diversity has always been our Nation’s greatest strength and remains committed to creating an economy that works for all Americans.