Funds were given to entrepreneurs and sportsmen and women of the Huasco Valley

For the second consecutive year, Compañía Minera del Pacífico called local athletes and entrepreneurs to apply for its 'Vive el Deporte en Huasco', 'Emprende CMP' and 'Reactiva tu Negocio' funds, each with an amount of up to one million pesos per initiative.

After an exhaustive selection process, the resources of the first benefit were granted to nine groups and three outstanding athletes, finally reaching more than 346 athletes of the port community. Regarding productive development, these were awarded to 23 entrepreneurs and 14 merchants from different localities of the province, who will have an important boost to implement and strengthen their business idea.

In this regard, Yasmina Cortes, CMP's Territorial Management Superintendent, underscored the objectives pursued by the funds. "From the heart of our processes, we are committed to promoting and strengthening the practice of sports and contributing to productive diversity and the reactivation of the local economy. All this in order to grow together in sustainable development," he said.

One of the outstanding athletes who received the support was Mario Valencia, South American medalist in canoeing, who said: "I think it is perfect that this type of initiative is being carried out. Each of the groups and individuals who were awarded this fund are an example, which is being replicated among the clubs and thus the overall level is being strengthened".

For his part, Ismael Castillo, representing the Chango Athletic Club, stated that "these public competitions help the community and as part of it we knew how to take advantage of it, since we have an important number of children and adults who work with us", adding what his project consists of. "We are going to generate an athletic championship in Freirina, with the objective of promoting the discipline in the province, decentralizing it in a certain way," he said.

María Godoy, a churrasquera from Llanos del Lagarto, shared her happiness at being a beneficiary of the Emprende CMP. "It's very good for me, because I don't have a machine for the dough, it costs a lot to make it by hand. I thank the company for giving us this opportunity to have implements that, for me as head of household, cost a lot to have", she said.

In turn, José Varas, a shellfish diver from Punta de Lobos, commented on how he would use the fund to improve the productivity of his daily work: "I will buy a mechanical winch to collect traps and nets. I am very happy with the company for this little push, which will allow me to reach the consumer faster, with much fresher products".

María José Olivares, from Padres Huerteros Chile, said that through Reactiva she will be able to "incorporate new products, produce her own and have the potential to generate new jobs in the community. Our products are completely ecological and are focused on conscious nutrition, especially for children".

Finally, Luis Rojas, owner of the mechanic shop of the same name in Caleta Angosta, stated that "this support will enable me to have certain equipment that is key to consolidating my shop in the coastal sector, where I have more and more customers and people who need me".

It is worth mentioning that, at the beginning, the company would select ten projects per fund. However, considering the large call for proposals and the quality of the initiatives, the number of beneficiaries was considerably increased.