LancasterThriving_Summer2017 - 42

COMMUNITY: BUSINESS & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
St. Louis, through a collaborative effort of several community
partners, implemented a proactive plan with a goal of having
the fastest growing immigrant population in the country by
2020. They have already achieved that goal. Using a multipronged approach, they offered services for immigrants
with professional degrees and experience to more easily
transfer their education and experience to similar careers in
the U.S.; they built and supported an entrepreneur network
to encourage entrepreneurism among immigrants; and
developed systems to keep international students in the area
beyond graduation.
In these two examples, success didn't just happen. It took
intentional planning, actions and collaboration among
many organizations and institutions to get these results.
"Communities recognize the incredible value (New
Americans) bring," said Kate Brick, Director of State and Local
Initiatives at New American Economy, "before including the
contributions they make to the workforce, to the economy
and to the overall community."

integrate New Americans into our community successfully.
The sentiment was clear - it's time to put together a plan and
initiate action!
A good plan will take a strong network of supporting
organizations, as well as buy-in from the Government, social
and private sectors of the community. We will need to start
with a more coordinated plan for welcoming and attracting
immigrants. It will take an intentional communication plan
and wide dissemination of facts and data throughout the
community to gain understanding. And it will take changing
the narrative by focusing on facts and data.
The Lancaster Chamber is committed to advancing a
collaborative plan with other community organizations and
taking the necessary action to assure Lancaster County is
positioned to attract and integrate New Americans into the
local workforce and community, adding to the vibrancy and
economic success of our county. Stay tuned.

During a recent presentation in Lancaster by New American
Economy representatives, a panel made up of organizations
providing services to immigrants and local employers,
along with audience members, heralded their support for
creating a plan for how Lancaster County can continue to

WAS THIS THE LAST TIME YOUR
ACCOUNTANT CALLED YOU?

BY CHERYL IRWIN-BASS,
Vice President & COO, Lancaster Chamber
Contact Cheryl at
cirwin@lancasterchamber.com

A proactive team of
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offering services in:
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Accounting

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Tax

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Learn more about what
Ultimate Accountability could
mean for your business or
nonprofit at:
www.whywalz.com
42 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Spring/Summer2017

http://www.newamericaneconomy.org http://www.lancasterchamber.com http://www.whywalz.com

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