Corpus Christi One of 25 Communities Selected for Gateways for Growth Challenge Round II Grant New Cohort of Local Leaders Commit to Welcoming and Integrating New Americans
CORPUS CHRISTI , TX — The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi will receive a Gateways for Growth Welcoming New Americans Grant on behalf of Corpus Christi to develop concrete strategies to integrate immigrants and international talent to foster economic growth .
New American Economy ( NAE ) and Welcoming America are pleased to announce the 25 communities who will receive a Gateways for Growth award in the second year of the initiative .
Launched in December 2015 , the Gateways for Growth Challenge is a competitive opportunity for local communities to receive direct technical assistance from New American Economy and Welcoming America to develop multi-sector plans for welcoming and integrating immigrants and international talent . New American Economy also provides tailored research on the contributions of immigrants and matching grants to select communities as part of the Challenge .
This year ’ s Gateways for Growth awardees demonstrated a strong commitment from local government , business , and civil society partners to recognize and highlight the contributions immigrants are making — by bolstering population growth , increasing the tax base , starting new businesses and creating jobs , and adding vibrancy and culture to our social fabric — and to develop concrete strategies and recommendations to maximize these contributions .
Following a rigorous application process , the following 25 communities were selected :
Alexandria , VA ; Austin , MN ; Boise , ID / Ada County , ID ; Bowling Green , KY ; Champaign-Urbana , IL ; Chicago , IL ; Corpus Christi , TX ; Dallas , TX ; Dane County , WI ; Des Moines , IA ; Fort Wayne , IN ; Grand Forks , ND ; Grand Rapids , MI ; Harrisonburg , VA / Rockingham County , VA ; Lancaster , PA ; Little Rock , AR ; Long Beach , CA ; Memphis , TN ; Missoula , MT ; Northwest Arkansas ; Portland , ME ; San Diego , CA ; Siouxland , IA / NE / SD ; South Bend , IN ; and Tulsa , OK . 29
21 BUSINESS MATTERS SEPT / OCT 2017