Hispanics are opening businesses at a rate almost three times higher than the national average, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. What was once regarded as a minority group now represents the fastest-growing segment of the nation’s economy.

Hispanic-owned businesses represent 16.5 percent of all businesses in California, a fact that well known by government agencies and private organizations. A growing number of organizations are bringing resources to help Hispanic entrepreneurs start, operate and grow their business.

In February, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) introduced the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin in the award and administration of federally funded contracts.

Many Hispanic businesses are in the process of learning how to participate in the bidding, award and administration of contracts with government agencies and large companies. At the same time, Hispanic community leaders are meeting the challenge to help Hispanic-owned businesses receive more contracts with local organizations that receive federal money to operate.

Victor Martinez, who is on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County, is working to build a bridge between the management of BART and Hispanic business owners in the Bay Area.

A former employee of BART, Martinez is helping to plan a meeting in July between local, Hispanic business owners and Grace Crunican, BART General Manager. Scheduled to take place in Oakland, the meeting will focus on contracting opportunities for construction, procurement and professional services. Martinez, who has been assisting BART in identifying businesses for the meeting, says that he believes that this kind of meeting with Hispanic businesses has not been conducted in the past.

“I am committed to creating an environment where we have an ongoing dialog with BART that leads toward improving and expanding contract opportunities for Hispanic businesses,” wrote Martinez.

Businesses interested in learning more about contracting opportunities with BART can visit www.bart.gov