By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The annual Cinco de Mayo event at Great Bend's Jack Kilby Square is a showcase for many of the Hispanic businesses in the area. But that weekend represents just a small portion of the calendar for those businesses. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will do its part to celebrate the impact of those businesses with its Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Chamber Director Megan Barfield said Hispanic-owned businesses play a large role in the local economy.
"They are very vital," she said. "There are dollars there that that community is spending here in Great Bend, and those businesses added to the culture and diversity, and just different types of cuisines or shopping that's available for people coming in from out of town. It's a huge part. If we can all patronize one other, that helps build the community's economy."
During the month, the chamber encourages citizens to learn about Hispanic history and culture and explore the various Hispanic-owned businesses in the area. Business owners or customers are encouraged to share a success story or good experience relating to a Hispanic-owned business. Some of those stories will be shared in the October edition of the Chamber's Outlook Business Journal.