A-Day-in-the-Life-of-an-Immigrant-Entrepreneur-Story-Book

WE GLOBAL NETWORK 9Immigrant Entrepreneursand the EconomyDid you know? Immigrant-owned businesses make up28 PERCENT OF MAIN STREET BUSINESSES,including 58 percent of all dry cleaners, 53percent of all grocery stores, 45 percent of allnail salons, 38 percent of all restaurants, and32 percent of all clothing stores. Immigrants started 28 PERCENT of new smallbusinesses in 2011 Immigrant-owned business pay out$126 BILLION in payroll each year, employ4.7 MILLION WORKERS, and generate $800BILLION in sales 25 PERCENT OF AMERICAN HIGH-TECHSTART-UPS created between 1995-2005 werestarted by immigrants Every foreign STEM worker with an advanceddegree is estimated to create an additional2.62 AMERICAN JOBSAt the turn of the 20th Century, millions of immigrantsarrived in America and were at the source of Midwesternindustrial innovation that propelled America’s industrialgrowth. These laborers and entrepreneurs contributed tothe creation of Detroit automobiles, Pittsburgh steel, andother growth industries across America’s manufacturingbase, and they continue to be a significant part of theregions that serve as economic catalysts in today’s world.The decline of the industrial economy resulted inmetropolitan regions across the Rust Belt experiencingslow or declining population growth and economicstagnation. This is due in large part to the loss ofmanufacturing jobs and the aging and out-migration oflocal populations. Many of these regions struggle withthese issues still today.Over the last half-decade, a movement of localimmigrant-welcoming and immigrant-focused economicdevelopment initiatives has been created and isbeginning to define a regional character and narrativearound immigration that is distinct from the nationaldebate about immigration reform. These initiatives arerooted in the fact that immigrant communities expandeconomic opportunities and revitalize regions. TheRust Belt region is well positioned to take advantage ofimmigration to reinvigorate its communities – to infuselocal economies with new businesses and talent, toattract and retain newcomers, and to be competitive inthe global economy.STORIES FROM AMERICA’S RUST BELT