City of Alexandria Selected for Gateways for Growth Challenge: Committing to Welcoming and Integrating New Americans 

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2017

The City of Alexandria is among 25 cities selected nationally to receive a Research Award for customized quantitative research reports on the demographic and economic contributions of immigrants to their communities from New American Economy and Welcoming America. The information will be utilized to develop plans that help integrate immigrants, including refugees, asylees and SIV holders.

Recognized for its commitment to developing its diverse community, the city joins other grant recipients such as the cities of Dallas, Boise, Chicago, Memphis and San Diego. 

The award will support the City’s Workforce Development Center and their public-private partners in developing a comprehensive and reliable set of data on the contributions of immigrants to the local community. This data will serve as a basis from which agencies can work to enable this population to further contribute both culturally and economically. Data generated will inform on the following about immigrants in the city:

• Spending power and tax contribution
• Share in wealth creation- GDP contribution, housing wealth
• Labor force- representation in key sectors, roles in keeping jobs in the city
• Entrepreneurial contributions- self-employment, job creation, business income 
• Educational and long term economic impact 
• Demographic and migration patterns 
• Needs and challenges affecting community integration

The American Community Survey indicates that Virginia had the eighth largest immigrant population in the U.S in 2012. Northern Virginia hosts 68 percent of the state’s foreign-born, with one in four residents who were born in another country.  More than 40 percent are skilled immigrants holding a bachelor degree or above. Having data on these populations is critical to maximizing their integration and growing contributions.

For more information, contact Daniel Mekibib, Workforce Development Center Director, at 703.746.5875 or daniel.mekibib@alexandriava.gov.