Lasting support for the economic power of robust immigration will only take root when local business leaders and institutions see their own futures as directly tied to federal immigration policy—and the full inclusion of immigrants in their state, regional, and local economic strategies. This guide is written to inspire and assist local immigrant-inclusive economic development practitioners, as well as immigration advocates, in developing and launching their own business and economic development-focused immigration narrative change campaigns. 

At the core of Global Detroit’s work to assist immigrant small business entrepreneurs in securing grants, loans and technical assistance is our “trusted connectors” program in which we pay local residents and community organizations to connect entrepreneurs in underserved communities to small business opportunities. This report documents the use of trusted connectors as a best practice for building access and inclusion into small business programs across the country, highlighting their use in several models. The report includes an analysis of the qualities and activities of effective trusted connectors, as well as potential metrics for evaluating their impacts. The report is designed to assist small business support organizations, microloan funds, philanthropic and corporate funders, economic development agencies and others seeking to expand access and equity in small business programs. We hope the report leads to a new network of trusted connectors programs and serves as inspiration to further research, promote and deploy this powerful practice.

Michigan has been the fourth largest destination state for refugees over the last decade. Global Detroit’s research documents that these new Michiganders have been a source of strength to the Michigan economy.  The study conservatively estimates total annual economic impact of refugees to be between $229.6 million and $295.3 million in new spending, along with between 1,798 and 2,311 new jobs, in 2016 alone, from the over 21,000 refugees in resettled into Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties between 2007-2016. (2017)

This document explores how immigrant-inclusive strategies drive economic revitalization in the United States. Immigrants significantly impact the economy, founding nearly half of Fortune 500 companies and accounting for over 20% of all business owners. Successful models like the Neighborhood Development Center and Global Detroit utilize language access, cultural competence, and character-based microloans to support diverse entrepreneurs. The article emphasizes using "trusted connectors" to reach communities that may distrust formal institutions. Additionally, it highlights the vital role of immigrants in tech startups and STEM research. Finally, the source advocates for integrating immigrant inclusion directly into the core DNA of local economic development organizations

The "New Americans in Detroit" report provides a demographic and economic snapshot of the 426,551 immigrant residents in the Detroit metro area as of 2018. Representing 9.9% of the population, this group includes a significant share of naturalized citizens and refugees. Immigrants contribute substantially to the local economy, generating $17 billion in household income and paying $4.7 billion in taxes annually. They play vital roles as frontline workers in healthcare and food services. Despite challenges like limited English proficiency, the majority of immigrant households are homeowners.

This report investigates immigrants as a vital, yet overlooked, resource for revitalizing vacant and distressed urban housing. Analyzing 23 cities, including Detroit and Baltimore, the study reveals that immigrant renters often possess the financial eligibility to purchase and renovate homes priced around $50,000. Despite systemic barriers like language access and unconventional credit histories, immigrants are a growing population in cities where U.S.-born populations are declining. The report concludes that by implementing culturally competent outreach, cities can harness immigrant potential to stabilize neighborhoods and achieve ground-up community revitalization.

The "Diaspora Report" highlights how immigrant communities serve as vital human assets for local economic development through foreign direct investment (FDI) and export trade,. Highly-skilled immigrants act as key intermediaries, bridging home and host cultures to reduce trade barriers and facilitate international business,. Research indicates that a 10% increase in immigrant populations leads to a 4.7% rise in U.S. exports to their country of origin. By leveraging "dual identities," these entrepreneurs improve contract enforcement and market knowledge,. The report advocates for inclusive local strategies that integrate diaspora talent to secure long-term urban prosperity,.