Bringing Vitality to Main Street: How Immigrant Small Businesses Help Local Economies Grow

Local economic development is of critical concern for municipalities and much effort is put into economic development strategies and initiatives.

Actively working to attract immigrant newcomers is an emerging strategy many forward-thinking municipalities are employing. Immigrants represent 28 percent of Main Street business owners including neighborhood goods and services, restaurants, and accommodations. Local officials understand immigrant-owned businesses contribute to local economic development, and competition is increasing.

Learn how this important population segment can help the vitality of your neighborhood or downtown and what campaigns are currently underway in the Greater Philadelphia region.

This event has been approved for 2.5 CM credits from the American Planning Association.

Agenda

8:30 am – Coffee and Networking
9:00 am – Welcome and Introductions
9:15 am – Presentations
Emily Costello, AICP and Christina Arlt, AICP, Office of Smart Growth, DVRPC
David Dyssegaard Kallick, Director, Immigration Research Initiative, Fiscal Policy Institute
Lorissa Luciani, PP, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development, Cherry Hill Township
10:30 am – Roundtable Discussion