[ad_1]
Although immigrants make up only 2.3 percent of the population of Missoula and four surrounding counties, those 4,654 people contributed $ 219.9 million to the goods produced and services provided in the region, $ 19.3 million in federal taxes and $ 7 million in state and local taxes in 2016 alone.
That left them with $ 93.6 million in spending power, much of which they used on local businesses, according to a new report from The New American Economy, a bipartisan nonprofit launched by Michael Bloomberg businessmen and Rupert Murdoch to influence immigration reform.
These findings, which come from the US Congressional Budget Office, stand in stark contrast to claims that immigrants would be able to go to American-born citizens, according to Jen Barile, the resettlement director for the Local International Rescue Committee office.
"Immigration is critical to America's economic success," she told a crowd on Wednesday that gathered for a panel on immigration's impact on the local economy. "As immigrants move into communities, neighborhoods are revitalized, small businesses are created by the economic, cultural and civic contributions of new Americans."
The New American Economy conducted a study of the demographics and economic contributions of Missoula, Sanders, Mineral, Lake, and Ravalli Counties
On Wednesday, the IRC presented a survey with Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins, who is a Liberian refugee Missoula Mayor John Engen and several business leaders
Barile said Missoula is one of 44 communities chosen for the Gateways for Growth Challenge, a competitive opportunity from New American Economy and another nonprofit called Welcoming America. Local communities selected for the challenge receive tailored research on the immigrants, direct technical badistance to develop multi-sector plans for welcoming and integrating immigrants or matching grants.
Missoula is home to a thriving Hmong community that resettled here in the wake of the Vietnam War. Since the IRC office opened here in 2016, an additional 186 refugees have been resettled from war-ravaged places such as Syria, Eritrea and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Collins told the story of how he grew up
"My family's situation is not unique," he said. "There are immigrants in all 50 states. They are doctors, dentists, social workers, teachers, nurses, historians and authors. They are contributing to the economy.
"My wife is a registered nurse and is in the military. I have retired from the military. "
Before the IRC office opened in Missoula in 2016, there were anti-immigration protests and elected representatives for restrictions in immigration. Collins
"It's so wrong for people to continue the rhetoric that we're doing it and soaking up." resources of hardworking Americans, "he said."
Bobbe Sparks, the executive housekeeper at the Holiday Inn of Missoula have been fantasti c workers.
"They work their hearts out," she said. "They have a vested interest in this job. One of the most important things about our celebration, but it's also a question of understanding it. "
Kathy O'Masters, vice president and branch manager of the Missoula Federal Credit Union's Brooks Street office, said she and her staff have teamed up with the IRC to provide financial literacy to recent immigrants
"Our mission is to be a force for good," she said. "
According to the report released Wednesday, living in the Missoula area helped create or preserve 214 manufacturing jobs that otherwise" It's always so heartwarming to see how much they want to learn how to be successful and give back to the community. " would have vanished or moved elsewhere. Immigrants in the area are also much more likely than their US counterparts to a bachelor's degree or higher.
"Missoula is the place because of the recognition of the value of human diversity and human potential," concluded Mayor John Engen , whose grandparents came from Norway. "That potential comes in many remarkable forms and we recognize the value of that diversity and how it makes us usable rather than harms us. It bolsters us and makes us collectively better. "
Source link
