FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2003

Metropolitan Offers Classes to Latino Community

Business and Financial Literacy Training Now Being Held in Spanish

Washington- Last night, Metropolitan Business Development Center held the first class in a series of eight geared toward the Spanish-speaking community. Class topics include reading a credit report, building good credit, and dealing with lenders. At the end of the 8-week session, class members will have an increased knowledge base, empowering them to reach their personal savings goals, thereby strengthening the community as a whole.

Last night’s class consisted of six members and the class has plenty of room to grow. The sessions, conducted in Spanish, will be held on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm at the First Baptist Hispanic Mission at 4770 US-17 North in Washington. Newcomers are welcome at next week’s meeting.

Support for Metropolitan Business Development Center on Market Street is a not-for-profit organization serving and supported by the community. Wachovia partners with the Center to provide the financial literacy materials.   Other major supporters are the City of Washington under a CDBG Grant; NC Rural Center; Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) of Washington, DC; and The Warner Foundation.

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Class members receive lesson on building their credit and reading their credit reports.