April 16, 1996
As Hermistonâs Hispanic population grows, so does its number of Hispanic-owned businesses, though not proportionately.
According to 1990 census figures, about 15 percent of Hermistonâs population identifies itself as being of Hispanic origin. But only about 2 percent of businesses listed on the Hermiston-area directory of the Greater Hermiston Chamber of Commerce are Hispanic-owned.
These businesses run the full gamut of services from bakeries to restaurants to trucking services to shoe sales. But most of those businesses go unnoticed by the majority in the business community here.
Billie Jean Morris, executive director at the chamber, said thatâs partly the chamberâs fault.