Hispanic Business Association Gets Cleveland Foundation Grant

Online, September 15, 2009 (Newswire.com) - CLEVELAND, OH (September 15, 2009) - The Hispanic Business Association (HBA)
recently helped medical equipment distributor Medicina Medical, LLC attain Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) status and win placement on the approved vendors list of a major health care provider in Cleveland.

HBA is excited to assist many other businesses in the months to come, thanks to a recent grant in excess of $65,000 from the Cleveland Foundation. The grant will enable HBA to complete its strategic planning session by the end of September 2009, enhance member services, and begin 2010 with well-defined objectives and plans to continue its momentum.

Over the past year, HBA has served 236 businesses (public and private) in Northeast Ohio through educational training in marketing, cash flow management, MBE certification, and procurement assistance. Earlier this year, it organized the successful HBA Women's Conference and Hispanic Business Expo.

"The grant award shows great confidence in the leadership of HBA and our mission," says Stephanie Mercado, executive director of HBA. "We are very excited to be supported by the Cleveland Foundation as we continue to expand ways HBA can impact and add increased value to Hispanic businesses in Northeast Ohio."

About the Cleveland Foundation
Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world's first community foundation and the country's third-largest, with assets of $1.6 billion and annual grants of $84 million. It's goal is to improve the lives of Greater Clevelanders by building community endowment, addressing needs through grant-making and providing leadership on vital issues.

About the Hispanic Business Association (HBA)
HBA is a nonprofit organization based in Northeast Ohio with a mission to advocate and promote Hispanic businesses since 1982. A partial listing of the services provided to help start and grow Hispanic businesses include business plan writing assistance, business startup counseling, financial analysis and assistance with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification. To join the HBA or support our mission with a charitable contribution, please visit www.hbahcco.org or call 216-281-4422.