Announcing the latest cohort of the Gateways for Growth Challenge

The Gateways for Growth Challenge announces its fourth cohort, forming a network of 71 localities deploying economic research and multi-sector welcoming plans to forward inclusion and economic opportunity for all.

DECATUR, GA & NEW YORK, NY – Today, New American Economy (NAE) and Welcoming America are pleased to announce that 19 localities will receive a Gateways for Growth (G4G) award as the fourth cohort of the initiative. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, local communities have been increasingly proactive about prioritizing response efforts and economic recovery strategies that benefit all residents, including immigrants, who have positively impacted the greater community. As the country looks to rebuild and set a more inclusive path forward nationally, these 19 localities will lay the groundwork and build the infrastructure for economic, civic, and social inclusion at the local level.

Launched in 2016, G4G is a competitive opportunity for localities to receive research support and/or technical assistance from NAE and Welcoming America to improve immigrant inclusion in their communities. This year’s awardees include: 

  • Dayton, Ohio
  • Cleveland, Ohio
  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Contra Costa County, California
  • Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Gainesville, Florida
  • Lancaster County, Nebraska
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Mercer County, New Jersey
  • Miami-Dade County, Florida
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Ottawa County, Michigan          
  • Passaic County, New Jersey
  • Reno/Washoe County, Nevada
  • Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • San Mateo County, California
  • Southwest Kansas
  • Spokane, Washington
  • Washtenaw County, Michigan                                                                                                             

In light of the scale and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gateways for Growth Challenge this year prioritized localities that demonstrated a public-private commitment to better integrating immigrants into recovery efforts and emergency management systems. G4G support this year includes:

  • Customized quantitative research reports from NAE on the demographic and economic contributions immigrants make in their communities; and/or
     
  • Tailored technical assistance from NAE and Welcoming America to help communities draft, execute, and communicate a multi-sector immigrant inclusion strategy.      

“The Gateways for Growth program helps communities quantify what many people already know — that immigrants play a key role in driving growth,” said Mo Kantner, Director of State and Local Initiatives at New American Economy. “We’re excited to see how these communities can use data and tailored technical assistance to support their work to ensure that all residents are welcome and have pathways to success.”

“We are thrilled to see the Gateways for Growth Challenge expand to another set of localities that reflect the diversity of our nation,” said Christina Pope, Senior Network Director at Welcoming America. “With each cohort, there is an opportunity to support and connect local leaders making their communities more welcoming and resilient places where everyone, including immigrants, can prosper and belong.”

Since joining Gateways for Growth, cities, counties, chambers of commerce and nonprofits across the United States have made significant strides in developing and executing concrete strategies that ensure all residents have access to the tools and support they need to succeed and contribute to their communities.

About New American Economy

New American Economy (NAE) is a bipartisan research and advocacy organization founded to educate, empower and support policymakers, influencers, and citizens across the country that see the economic and social benefits of a smart approach to immigration reform. NAE has created a coalition of civic, business, and cultural leaders who span the political spectrum and represent all 50 states. NAE makes the case for smart immigration reform in four ways:

About Welcoming America

Welcoming America leads a movement of inclusive communities from across the world in becoming more prosperous by making everyone feel like they belong. Through a membership network of 200+ local governments and nonprofits, Welcoming America connects and supports place-based initiatives that work to reduce divisions and support greater civic, social, and economic participation among new and longtime residents alike. Through the Welcoming Network, participating members access peer learning opportunities, technical assistance, tools, and training to help transform their communities into more welcoming places.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Jeffrey Salzgeber, [email protected], (512) 743-2659

Lola Pak, [email protected], 470-236-0129