Latino Exodus Hurting Mid-South Companies
January 30, 2009
By Amy Cowman
One community getting hit especially hard by the tough economic times is the Hispanic population in Memphis and DeSoto County. Many of them rely on the construction industry which has drastically slowed down in recent months.
A large potion of the Hispanic community settled in the expanding DeSoto County, where in the past growth has provided plenty of work, but now many are moving on.
"At one time we estimated it was about 15 percent of our total business and now it's just a fraction of that, 2 or 3 percent perhaps," said Charles Tackett, owner of Cowboy Corner.
Cowboy Corner in Southaven isn't Hispanic owned, but owner Tackett said a large portion of their clientele was the Latino community, but he said over the past year that's changed.
"We were buying merchandise aimed at our Hispanic customers to their likes and dislikes and preferences and that's had to change," said Tackett.
Tackett said when work is down, purchases are too, and Latino Memphis director Mauricio Calvo said it's no surprise lack of new construction has hit the Latino workforce especially hard.
"I talk to some people and some say we're just moving, we're just perhaps going to Texas or Kentucky," said Calvo. "They're following the work."
Emillio's supermarket in Southaven is a chain of three stores. Their business is down but they're surviving. However, the store in Olive Branch had to close down.
Calvo said many Hispanics are returning to their native countries.
"Life in Latin America is cheaper than it is here. So being without work here versus being without work there, here you still have many expenses, rent, utilities other things," said Calvo.
Tackett said when families leave, it definitely affects the local economy, not just his business.
"They've settled in the area, DeSoto County, Shelby County, Tipton County," he said. "Their children attend schools; they're a big part of the culture."
Source: MYFox Memphis
January 30, 2009
By Amy Cowman
One community getting hit especially hard by the tough economic times is the Hispanic population in Memphis and DeSoto County. Many of them rely on the construction industry which has drastically slowed down in recent months.
A large potion of the Hispanic community settled in the expanding DeSoto County, where in the past growth has provided plenty of work, but now many are moving on.
"At one time we estimated it was about 15 percent of our total business and now it's just a fraction of that, 2 or 3 percent perhaps," said Charles Tackett, owner of Cowboy Corner.
Cowboy Corner in Southaven isn't Hispanic owned, but owner Tackett said a large portion of their clientele was the Latino community, but he said over the past year that's changed.
"We were buying merchandise aimed at our Hispanic customers to their likes and dislikes and preferences and that's had to change," said Tackett.
Tackett said when work is down, purchases are too, and Latino Memphis director Mauricio Calvo said it's no surprise lack of new construction has hit the Latino workforce especially hard.
"I talk to some people and some say we're just moving, we're just perhaps going to Texas or Kentucky," said Calvo. "They're following the work."
Emillio's supermarket in Southaven is a chain of three stores. Their business is down but they're surviving. However, the store in Olive Branch had to close down.
Calvo said many Hispanics are returning to their native countries.
"Life in Latin America is cheaper than it is here. So being without work here versus being without work there, here you still have many expenses, rent, utilities other things," said Calvo.
Tackett said when families leave, it definitely affects the local economy, not just his business.
"They've settled in the area, DeSoto County, Shelby County, Tipton County," he said. "Their children attend schools; they're a big part of the culture."
Source: MYFox Memphis
