The idea of the hard-working immigrant isn’t just a stereotype according to several studies, including one by Paul McDaniel, who holds a Ph.D. in Geography and Urban Regional Analysis from the University of North Carolina. In “Revitalization in the Heartland of America: Welcoming Immigrant Entrepreneurs for Economic Development,” he writes that immigrants are “risk takers by nature” and “unusually successful entrepreneurs.” Immigrants are more than twice as likely to start their own businesses as people born in the United States.
McDaniel cites the finding of the Fiscal Policy Institute that “immigration and economic growth of metro areas go hand in hand.” That’s prompted several Rust Belt cities that are losing population and declining economically to look to immigrants for revitalization. McDaniel demonstrates that an influx of immigrants is helping stabilize and invigorate parts of Detroit and St. Louis, and rural communities in Iowa. These communities have seen the benefits of immigration and have begun to advocate for more—for example, the Governor of Michigan recently requested 50,000 visas to allow high-skilled immigrants to move to Detroit. Immigrants often move into low-income neighborhoods and make them safer and more prosperous.
David G. Gutierrez studied census data for his report “An Historic Overview of Latino Immigration and Demographic Transformation of the United States” and found that 44% of medical scientists, 37% of physical scientists, 34% of software engineers, and 27% of physicians and surgeons in America are immigrants. We’ve always known that immigrants are one factor that make the United States strong, and these new reports suggest we should continue welcoming immigrants in the future.
MORE: Meet the CEO Who Wants to Bring 50,000 Immigrants to Detroit
Tag: Iowa
Forget Working From Home. Checkups From Home Are Saving Lives
Telemedicine is catching a few more headlines, and UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital has been a leader in telemedicine, serving patients in a 50-mile radius with 33 telehealth monitors over the past three years. Madison Arnold is 90 years old and has been using the telemedicine equipment for over a year. He’s had heart problems since the ‘70s, and his opportunity to participate in daily monitoring makes a great study of the benefits of home tracking technology. He sends in data like his weight and blood pressure, and telemedicine coordinators monitor him for even minor changes, saving him from the stress, risks, and cost of hospital visits. The Iowa system is seeing the rewards for success, both in the health of its patients statewide, and in increased financial support with a new investment of $7.7 million from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand and improve the program.
Facebook To Ramp Up Wind Power Usage
Facebook (a small dorm-room startup you’ve probably never heard of) plans to open a new data center in Altoona, Iowa that will run completely off of wind power. Scheduled to be operational in 2015, Facebook says the ability to run on renewable energy was a major factor in their decision to choose this location for the new center. MidAmerican Energy will build, own and operate the 138 MW wind farm that will power the center, and they aim to convert 25% of their data centers worldwide to clean energy within two years.
Calling All Vets: Iowa Wants You!
Calling all [p2p type=”post_tag” value=”veterans”]veterans[/p2p]: Iowa wants you! Iowa Governor Terry Branstad recently launched Home Base Iowa, a new partnership between public and private interests in Iowa that will pair veterans with companies seeking employees. The program will raise private funds to make veterans aware of this service through social media and military publications. Branstad says that in his travels throughout Iowa, he’s encountered many employers who want to hire more workers but can’t find people with the right skills. Branstad hopes the program will encourage veterans to move to Iowa, help reduce veteran unemployment, and fill those positions that Iowa companies have ready and waiting for skilled workers.