| Columbia Basin College (CBC), a 2-year state community college, will use its Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant to establish a community business and training resource center. Located in rural Pasco, Washington, CBC serves the counties of Franklin and Benton. Recent downturns in the once thriving agriculture industry in Pasco have resulted in high poverty, low educational attainment levels, deteriorating homes, low homeownership levels, and high unemployment. Pasco is challenged to find new ways to survive economically, acquire new job skills, maintain affordable housing, and adapt to the changing environment. Assistance is thus needed in expanding existing small businesses or starting new businesses to respond to emerging local markets.
CBC's HSIAC program will assist Hispanic small business owners in downtown Pasco and Pasco residents in the following urgent areas of need: - A community business and training resource center will be built in the community to provide easy access for services at a location closer to the target neighborhoods. This public community facility will serve as a central hub for HSIAC and other community services. A local steering committee will shape and help oversee the center.
- Small business development services will be provided to Hispanic business owners in the downtown core of Pasco. The services include business counseling, business plan development, loan packaging, and accessing additional business resources and training. These services will help retain or create new jobs.
- Vocational English as a Second Language classes will be provided at the center for those interested in learning English to improve their employment opportunities and to continue their education. These services will be provided in the new center.
The City of Pasco is a HUD Community Development Block Grant entitlement jurisdiction. The HSIAC program specifically addresses two areas of emphasis in the "Tri-Cities Home Consortium Consolidated Plan for the Cities of Kenniwick, Pasco, and Richland": job training and the needs of small businesses.
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