Briefing Papers Number 23, October 2013 | Página 10

Andrew Wainer/Bread for the World

Rolling Out or Pulling Up
the Welcome Mat?

Mexicantown in southwest Detroit boasts a variety of food markets and restaurants, distinguishing it from other parts of the city where residents do not
have easy access to food.

need micro-lending for purchasing storefronts, for getting
set-up,” said Betty Symington, executive director of the Baltimore Episcopal Refugee and Immigrant Coalition.
These barriers to immigrant entrepreneurship have been
noted nationally as well as in Baltimore, Detroit, and other
Rust Belt cities. Noting that immigrant businesses tend to
have lower sales than native businesses, a report by the Small
Business Administration states, “Limited access to financial
capital may restrict immigrant business success... Insuring
sufficient access to financial capital is important for the continued contribution of immigrant-owned businesses to economic growth, job creation, innovation and exports.” That
report concludes, “Barriers to entry and expansion faced by
immigrant small businesses may be costly to U.S. productivity, especially because immigrants represent an increasing
share of the po [][ۈ[