Community Leaders Show Support of Immigrants in St. Louis

St. Louis Mosaic Project among organizations represented
Close to 100 leaders from organizations throughout St. Louis met on January 15 to show support of immigrants in the area. Many immigrant service providers, ethnic chambers of commerce, different faith groups and local civic offices were represented to send a positive message to immigrants across the St. Louis community. Among those in attendance was Suzanne Sierra, assistant director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project.
At the meeting, Sierra spoke on the positive impact that immigrants have on the St. Louis region.
“Between 2022 and 2023, St. Louis ranked #1 for foreign-born growth among the top 30 major metros in the U.S.,” Sierra said. “That number, when we talk about foreign-born, includes individuals and their families who are brought here by companies to work, refugees, international students, entrepreneurs and family members seeking reunification. In St. Louis, immigrants account for more than $2 billion in annual spending power and contribute more than $1 billion in federal, state, and local taxes each year. Nearly one in five entrepreneurs in the region is foreign-born, creating jobs and opportunities for all residents. These businesses, small and large, enrich our economy and bring vibrancy to neighborhoods across the region.”
The St. Louis Mosaic Project, a regional initiative that is professionally managed by St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, World Trade Center St. Louis and a 32-member committee, promotes regional prosperity through immigration and innovation. To learn more about their efforts and initiatives, click here.
Photos courtesy of International Institute of St. Louis