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Integrating Latinos into the community is an uphill, but achievable goal

The fastest-growing population group in the Lehigh Valley isn't well-served nor is it well-represented in positions of influence. Those are the conclusions of a 130-page study of Latinos in the Valley commissioned by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.

With a $75,000 state grant, the study was conducted during the past year by Alegre Research and Demographics in Lancaster. But now the truly hard part. A task force headed by Teresa Donate, a professor at Northampton Community College, and Eduardo Eichenwald, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley, will assess the findings, prioritize initiatives and oversee implementation.

LVEDC officials initiated the project with the hope that the demographic and statistical information would guide the organization in helping Latinos take advantage of the Valley's economic opportunities. That's a goal to be taken very seriously if a significant portion of the Valley's population is to be better served and integrated into the life of the community.

Latinos are the fastest-growing minority group in the United States and the Valley. About one-third of the population of Allentown and one-quarter of Bethlehem's residents are Latino. Easton's Latino population also is growing, with a 100 percent increase in the number of Latino students in the Easton Area School District between the 1999-2000 and 2004-2005 school years.

Better serving Latinos matters for the vitality of the Valley as a whole. In fact, according to the study, assistance to downtown businesses could help revitalize Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. However, Latinos are more likely to be turned down for business and home loans, and information on facade grants and other services usually is not available in Spanish.

In addition, about two-thirds of Latinos are renters. They also lag in obtaining higher degrees, with only 8 percent of Latinos between 25 and 64 earning bachelor's degrees. The study recommends more bilingual job skills training and increased access to programs such as English as a Second Language classes. It also would help if more information about loans and other business development programs would be provided in Spanish.

The study also challenges the Latino community itself to do a better job of communicating and cooperating internally. Discord among groups is common in many Latino communities, lead researcher Lillian Escobar-Haskins said at an LVEDC news conference Thursday. Most Latino communities are not homogenous and the Valley is no exception, with 67 percent of Puerto Rican descent and many others from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, South America and other countries.

There is yet a long road to travel to better integrate Latinos in the Valley. Over time, a more inclusive LVEDC would reflect a measure of success.