Chamber, SkillSource partnership enters third year after expanding minority business programs

D’Andre Vasquez of the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce attends the Community Reinvestment Program Summit in July at SkillSource.

WENATCHEE VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Representatives of the Chamber and from SkillSource pose for a photo at the Community Reinvestment Program Summit in July.

WENATCHEE VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Posted Monday, August 3, 2026 4:52 pm

By ANDREW SIMPSON
Ward Media Staff Reporter

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce is entering the third year of its partnership with SkillSource through the Washington State Department of Commerce's Community Reinvestment Program, building on two years of expanded outreach to Hispanic and minority-owned businesses.

The partnership has helped launch CONEXIÓN, a monthly bilingual networking event, and Empresarios en Acción, a quarterly bilingual business training series. The Chamber said the programs provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to build relationships, gain practical business knowledge and connect with resources throughout the Wenatchee Valley.

Today, CONEXIÓN is sponsored by Wenatchee Valley College, while Empresarios en Acción is supported by the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority.

The collaboration also helped revitalize the Chamber's Hispanic Business Council, which serves as an advisory group to identify community needs and strengthen relationships with Hispanic-owned businesses.

Earlier this month, Chamber representatives joined community partners at SkillSource's Community Reinvestment Program Summit to highlight the partnership's impact during the 2025-26 fiscal year.

According to the Chamber, more than 252 people attended CONEXIÓN and Empresarios en Acción events over the past year. The partnership also connected 16 minority-owned businesses with SkillSource programs, including incumbent worker training, paid internships and microgrant opportunities.

"We are incredibly grateful to SkillSource for their partnership and investment in this work, and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities that help local businesses connect, grow and thrive," Executive Director Steve Wilkinson said.

The Chamber said it hopes to continue expanding participation as the partnership enters its third year, encouraging business owners from all backgrounds to engage with its networking, training and business development programs.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media