Study: Immigrant Entrepreneurs Fuel Growth

 

Feb. 6, 2007 -- Immigrant entrepreneurs are starting businesses at a higher rate than native-born residents, according to a new study released Tuesday by the Center for Urban Future, a New York City-based think tank.

The study, which focused on immigrant entrepreneurial activity in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Boston, found that immigrant entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly powerful economic engines for big cities. Among other sectors, immigrant entrepreneurs are stimulating growth and creating more new jobs in food manufacturing and health care, the study found.

Despite that impact, tapping into the economic potential of immigrant entrepreneurs will require far more attention and support from policymakers, business-advocacy groups, and community development organizations, the study's researchers said.

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