Hispanic Chamber Casts Unique Net Touting Municipal Restoration Zone



The Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is using everything from YouTube to popcorn at the movies to get the word out about the benefits of the Municipal Restoration Zone (MRZ) in Fresno, California.

With an 'sMRZ Means Business's media campaign that crosses over multiple media outlets in both English and Spanish, the chamber is drumming up interest in the program that is part of a business friendly triangle that consists of federal, state and local incentives to resurrect Fresno'ss urban core.

Business owners are being exposed to the MRZ message in a variety of ways; the internet, including English and Spanish videos on YouTube, newspaper articles and on a local real estate TV show that is also streamed 24/7 on the internet that targets investors in the rapidly changing Central California real estate market.

In a break from traditional media, the chamber is running MRZ 30-second spots on all 16 screens at a Regal Entertainment Group theatre complex in Fresno. For the next six months MRZ spots can be seen by movie audiences before blockbuster films and at the theatre'ss concession stands on flat-screen monitors while waiting for their popcorn and nachos.

The MRZ was started in 2006 by Fresno mayor and actor Allen Autry, known for his roles on TV shows like 'sIn The Heat of the Night's, to augment federal and state incentive programs and jumpstart activity in the city'ss core.

The Fresno MRZ promotional campaign has a focused objective; to create a broad awareness with business owners, both locally and nationally, in the benefits of locating or expanding their businesses within the boundaries of the MRZ. The benefits are numerous, including building permit fee reductions, sales tax refunds and new employee hiring tax credits.

As a result of the recent passing of the Proposition 1A bond initiative that cleared the way for a High Speed Rail system in California, Fresno stands to benefit greatly from its position as the hub city in the most complex project in the state'ss history.

The new high speed rail junction will be located either in or very near the MRZ, and should have a significant impact of economic activity to the area.

The Chamber is delighted to be working with the city to help educate business owners about the Zone, said John Hernandez, executive director of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The unique approach we have chosen is beginning to bear fruit. Participation at incentive zone orientation workshops has increased, and it'ss our hope that this new awareness will translate into more businesses taking advantage of the MRZ.

The mission of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is to promote, stimulate and support Hispanic owned business. The Chamber will create, maintain, and improve a favorable business environment which strengthens the financial position of its members and contributes to the socioeconomic well-being of the community. For more information please visit www.cchcc.net or call (559) 495-4817.

Contact:

John Hernandez, Executive Director

Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

(559) 495-4817

http://www.cchcc.net





Hispanic Chamber Casts Unique Net Touting Municipal Restoration Zone