What do this bridal shop, music store and production plant all have in common? These small businesses are all owned by Latinos.

"We've been working here for years, we didn't just move here," says Carlos Gonzalez, President of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.

But the Latino Chamber says when it comes to funding, they are being left out. Over the past three years Springfield has received more than 12 million dollars in federal funds, money the chamber wants to use to help small business owners.

"We're building Springfield and we need to be supported by Springfield," says Gonzalez.

But city officials say the government is strict about what the money can do, and while they hope to free some up for economic development, it will take time and research. Until then some say the city needs to find other ways to support a business community on the rise.

"If the city doesn't recognize that and do everything in its power to support that, it will never see growth and stability," says City Councilor Rosemarie Mazza-Moriarty.

Popular shopping centers like this one in the North End, known as "La Placita," are a perfect example of how small Latino businesses are making a big impact in the city. Jesus Arce owns two small businesses, and says without support many of his fellow owners will be forced out of Springfield.

"We want to stay here, and wanting to stay here we need all the resources we can get," says Arce.

On Thursday he will join other local business owners traveling to Washington D.C. to speak with Senator John Kerry about their financials needs.