Laserfiche WebLink
Welcoming <br />Newcomers: <br />strategies for <br />economic <br />prosperity �J <br />Creating jobs was once the focus of economic development, but in recent years, this has <br />shifted to the need for workers, especially in rural parts of MN that are seeing aging <br />residents and slower population growth. A recent University of Minnesota (UMN) study <br />found that a quarter of economic growth over the last 45 years was due to a growing <br />labor force. They estimate that Minnesota will need to increase migration to our state by <br />four and a half times to meet labor force needs, and that much of that will likely need to <br />be met by international migration. As a result, a number of communities have joined the <br />"welcoming movement." Welcoming America defines this as communities that promote <br />"intentional, inclusive policies, practices and norms that enable all residents to live, <br />thrive, and contribute fully- including immigrants." <br />Fatima Said is the Executive Director of Winona County's Project FINE (Focus on <br />Integrating Newcomers through Education). She, herself, was a Bosnian refugee. For over <br />30 years Project FINE has been helping refugees and immigrants in the region. Along <br />with advocacy, information referrals, translation, and legal assistance, Project FINE offers <br />employment services. Regional employers frequently reach out to Project FINE for help <br />finding workers. Project FINE in turn reaches out to immigrant populations. According to <br />Said, "with refugee and Immigrant populations, everything starts with a job. All of them <br />wantto work and make a living." <br />UMN Extension Is also helping communities, through the "Making It Home" program, <br />which helps participants create a community -wide vision for attracting new residents. <br />Jennifer Hawkins, UMN Extension Educator, worked with Spring Valley, a small <br />community In Southeastern MN. °We trained six terrific facilitators for local study circles," <br />says Hawkins. "Those facilitators brought together school children, retirees, teachers, <br />newcomers and others to talk about what's great about Spring Valley, and how those <br />assets can be leveraged to attract more residents." <br />35 <br />