Alright, so I heard that there’s some big news in Massachusetts. Apparently, the Hispanic and Latino community there have been working hard and contributing a ton to the state’s economy. Like, they make up only 13.5% of the population but managed to add a whopping 26% to the GDP. That’s like $30 billion, people! Crazy, right? But get this, the CEO of We Are ALX, Eneida Roman, thinks there’s even more potential waiting to be unlocked. She’s all about investing more in these communities to see what else they can do.
There was this report called “¡Vamos Massachusetts!” that came out in April that basically showed how much the Hispanic and Latino folks have been doing for the state over the past decade. The report was put together by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation with help from We Are ALX. According to Pablo Suarez, who wrote the report, there’s been a lot of progress and growth, which is awesome to hear.
The Hispanic and Latino population in Massachusetts has been growing steadily, making up more of the state’s economy and population. They’ve been getting more education, making more money, and buying more homes. And get this, they’re also killing it in the small business game, with a 23% growth rate compared to just 1% for the rest of the state. Talk about an entrepreneurial spirit!
But it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. There are still some gaps that need to be addressed, like wage gaps and educational disparities. Apparently, these gaps are costing the state money and productivity. Suarez thinks that focusing on education, workforce training, and access to capital for businesses is key to closing these gaps. And let’s not forget about the importance of getting the Hispanic and Latino community involved in critical sectors like clean energy, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals.
Some people are calling the Latino community the “secret sauce” for filling all the new jobs that Massachusetts needs. Roman believes that the state is sitting on a gold mine of untapped potential. While there’s been some positive feedback on the progress made by these communities, there are still concerns about the existing gaps. But as Suarez puts it, it’s a call to action that should inspire everyone to do better.
So yeah, it looks like the Hispanic and Latino folks in Massachusetts are making some serious moves. Maybe it’s time for the rest of us to step up our game too. Just a thought.
