There is a saying during presidential election years that “as goes Ohio, so does the nation”.  After reviewing the recent census data, we can say the same for the explosion of Hispanic growth within our state.  In 2007 the Ohio Department of Development indicated that there were approximately 265,762 Hispanics in the state.  Per the recent Census, there are approximately 357,000. Since the year 2000 the Hispanic population has increased 63.4% in the state of Ohio.  Today, nearly 1 in 6 Americans is Hispanic.  Furthermore, it is estimated that by the year 2050 some 28% of the US population will be of Hispanic decent.

In 1990, according to a 2006 University of Georgia study, Hispanic spending power stood at $200 billion a year. In 2007 Hispanic spending power stood at $860 billion a year according to that same study.  In 2011, Hispanic spending power is estimated at $1.2 trillion a year according to the U.S. Census.  (Please note, these figures do not include the buying power of undocumented immigrants.)  In other words, from 1990 to 2013, Latino purchasing power is projected to grow by 560 percent, while white purchasing power during the same period is only projected to grow by 211 percent.  Source: Selig Center for Economic Growth   

 In addition, between 2005 and 2016, college enrollment for U.S. Latinos is expected to increase by 45 percent, compared with 17 percent for the general population. Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Within the state of Ohio there has been much discussion about unemployment and the creation of new jobs.  Many would agree that the best way to increase the number of jobs is by encouraging the creation of new business or growing existing small business.  According to Intuit Inc.'s Future of Small Business Report, co-authored by the Institute for the Future, immigrant women are starting businesses at a rate 57 percent higher than native-born women.  And immigrant men start businesses at a rate 71 percent higher than native-born men.  Within this group, Hispanic women are achieving higher success rates than any other demographic.

I recently heard a speaker pronounce that the time es ahora for Latinos.  She was right. Now is the time to become more aware of the changing face of our country today.  Diversity and inclusion can no longer be a moral objective championed by a few.  It must become an economic priority for our corporations or we will not be able to compete in a global market.