~ St. Louis, MO - The City of St. Louis has been chosen to participate in the Gateways for Growth (G4G) program, a joint initiative by the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America. This program aims to support immigrant inclusion in communities across the country.

As part of G4G Round VI, St. Louis will receive tailored research briefs, customized technical assistance, and participation in a community of practice. These resources will help deepen the cultivation of international communities' inclusion in every aspect of the city's future, aligning with Mayor Cara Spencer's top priority of driving inclusive growth.

St. Louis joins a network of over 75 communities that have participated in this initiative since its launch in 2016. This selection comes after the city and region have seen significant success in attracting foreign-born residents.

Mayor Cara Spencer expressed her excitement about this opportunity, stating that "one of the best things about St. Louis is that we are a community made up of people and cultures from all over the world." She also highlighted the rich immigrant history that continues to make St. Louis a more interesting and prosperous place.

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According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the St. Louis metropolitan area had the highest percentage increase in foreign-born population in 2023 compared to other cities in the United States. The number of foreign-born residents grew from 129,604 in 2022 to 159,710 in 2023, representing a significant increase of 23.2%.

Gilberto Pinela, director of the City's Office of New Americans, emphasized that being selected for G4G Round VI is a testament to St. Louis' commitment to being a welcoming city for global talent. He also stated that this program will allow them to use data to showcase the economic and cultural contributions made by foreign-born residents.

The Gateways for Growth program brings together leaders from various sectors such as government, business, nonprofit, faith, and education to develop strategies that benefit all residents. Participating communities receive tailored support from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America throughout the program.

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Rich André, Director of State and Local Initiatives at the American Immigration Council, expressed his excitement about working with the new cohort in creating opportunities for all residents. He also highlighted how this program has helped local communities quantify the impact of their immigrant populations and invest in welcoming policies and programs for almost a decade.

Molly Hilligoss, senior network director of Welcoming America, praised each community in this cohort for stepping up to lead on welcoming. She stated that they are creating conditions where everyone, including immigrants, can contribute and thrive.

For more information about Gateways for Growth and its impact on communities across the country, visit gatewaysforgrowth.org. St. Louis is proud to be part of this initiative and looks forward to further promoting a welcoming environment for all its residents.

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