Kaine Discusses Jobs & Economy with Latino Business Leaders from Northern Virginia

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined members of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Latino business leaders from around the country to discuss economic issues impacting the community, as well as job creation, education and workforce development.

During the roundtable, Kaine discussed the significant economic contributions Latinos have made in Virginia, highlighting two successful Virginians in attendance, Carlos Del Toro, President and CEO of Alexandria-based SBG Technology Solutions and Carlos Castro, who owns Todos Supermarkets in Woodbridge and Dumfries.

"The Latino population in Virginia is quickly growing. There are more than 200,000 registered Latino voters, our Latino students in elementary schools are among the top performers in the United States, and the Latino median income in the Richmond metro area is higher than the average median income," Kaine said.

During the roundtable, Del Toro discussed the need to invest in Latino small businesses through more inclusive practices and better access to federal contracts.

"I strongly believe when you give small businesses the opportunity to compete, it will result in lower costs to the federal government, and it will be a higher quality product because small businesses have the passion that really makes a difference," Del Toro said.

Later in the day, Senator Kaine met with members of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce, and Virginia Organizing. They discussed the possibilities of increasing trade that would benefit the Commonwealth, and the economic benefits of passing comprehensive immigration reform.

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