Grand Rapids Community Partners Unveil Gateways For Growth Welcome Plan

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids is one of 13 communities across America that received a Gateways for Growth (G4G) award to be more welcoming to both immigrants and refugees. G4G is a national initiative focused on helping communities develop multi-sector plans to be more welcoming to immigrants and refugees. The top five countries of origin for immigrants living in Kent County are Mexico, Guatemala, Vietnam, Bosnia and Canada.

"This comprehensive welcoming plan is a result of months of dedicated planning, community outreach and multi-sector collaboration,” said Mo Kantner, director of state and local initiatives at New American Economy, and Molly Hilligoss, midwestern regional manager at Welcoming America. “Through two rounds of our Gateways for Growth program, we have had the pleasure of supporting and learning from the Grand Rapids community. We are excited about the tangible recommendations of this plan and we look forward to seeing the community work together to ensure all residents are welcome and have pathways to success.”

The Gateways for Growth Steering Committee is comprised of:

• Patti Caudill, diversity and inclusion manager, City of Grand Rapids
• Omar Cuevas, vice president of sales and marketing, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
• Guillermo Cisneros, executive director, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Elvira Kovachevich, Welcome Plan project coordinator, Samaritas
• Lori Latham, communications and government relations director, Kent County
• Joel Lautenbach, executive director of development, Samaritas
• Stacy Stout, director of equity and engagement, City of Grand Rapids

Stacy Stout, director of equity and engagement, City of Grand Rapids

“We know this Welcome Plan is just the beginning. It focuses on local efforts. However, there is much to do at the state and federal levels to advocate change and equitable inclusion of New Americans and other communities who face systemic racism and oppression. We encourage you to leverage your influence to make change locally and at the state and federal levels and call on the community to explore what recommendations you as an individual or organization can impact.”

Omar Cuevas, vice president of sales & marketing, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

“We know there is much to be done. One thing I am reminded of when I think of Grand Rapids and Kent County is that we know how to roll up our sleeves and get to work,” said Omar Cuevas, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “Immigrants are our neighbors, our friends, our customers, and our coworkers. They are – we are – New Americans.”

Guillermo Cisneros, executive director, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

“In 2018, there were 2,031 immigrant entrepreneurs in Kent County. I’m certain this number has only grown since then. Our immigrant entrepreneurs and business owners have faced and overcome many challenges and systemic barriers. I am always proud and energized by their resiliency but can’t help feeling like we have fallen short to their needs when I listen to the struggles their journeys contain. However, this plan gives me hope that change is coming for our immigrant community.”

Joel Lautenbach, executive director of development, Samaritas

“The 2018 Report on the Economic Contributions of New Americans in Kent County highlights the importance of immigrants and refugees as a growing percentage of the population, as well as the outsized role they play in the workforce, especially in key industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and hospitality or tourism. We saw significant contributions to the tax base, incredible spending power, and impressive entrepreneurship. But we also know simply living somewhere does not mean you belong.”

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed are the author's own.