When Francisco Del Toro helped found the American Mexican Chamber of Commerce in the spring, he did so because he felt there was a vital need to show just how Mexican American businesses contribute to the local economy.
He had no idea how many others shared that belief.
What started as one chamber serving a greater New York City region quickly is becoming numerous chambers serving the Mid-Atlantic region.
Del Toro said leaders in Boston and Philadelphia are making plans to open American Mexican chambers — and that he will soon meet with leaders in New York City and Washington, D.C. about chambers there.
“The interest has been incredible,” he said. “All the business owners are so excited. Everybody is saying the same thing: We need this. We really need this.”
When the Mexican American Chamber started, it touted some incredible statistics:
- In 2023, New Jersey imported $7.6 billion worth of Mexican products – while exporting $3.3 billion more;
- The 20 founding members of the AMRCC combine for annual revenues of more than $650 million.
Those numbers will grow exponentially as the chamber expands, Del Toro said.
Once chambers are created in those four additional locations, he estimated they will represent more than 3,000 businesses — some of which will be located in Mexico.
Del Toro said he has had outreach from across the border.
“They wanted to be connected because this area is such an important market for them,” he said.
Mariana Diaz, the Consul of Mexico in their New Brunswick office, said the impact of the chamber already is being felt.
“It helps me tremendously,” she said. “I think it’s really important to showcase what Mexican American businesses are doing and how much Mexican Americans contribute to the economy of all these states.
“This will help change the narrative because it’s not about words, it’s about data.” Diaz gives a lot to Del Toro, who co-owns La Providencia, a boutique shop in Passaic that sells authentic goods from Mexico that celebrate Mexican culture, along with his wife, Lilia Rios.
“To have somebody like Francisco leading this chamber speaks volumes, because he and his wife are such great business leaders,” she said. “They are great role models.”
They are examples of what the chamber intends to show – that Mexican American business are part of the fabric of the state and the region, Del Toro said.
“We are not Mexican companies, we are Mexican American companies,” he said.
Del Toro feels the quickly expanding network of chambers will only grow that point – and the companies.
“It’s a tough moment for us right now – but it’s the right moment to show our strength,” he said.
