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The latest news and research on how immigrants are powering Detroit's regional economic recovery.
Our Partner Initiatives
( the implementation of our efforts)
Following the publication of the Global Detroit Study, Global Detroit has developed new programs and strategies that make the region more attractive and welcoming to immigrants, internationals, refugees, and foreign trade and investment as a means to produce jobs and regional economic growth. Since 2010, Global Detroit and its partner initiatives have attracted over $7 million in philanthropic, corporate, government and individual investments and launched over a half dozen of the recommendations in the Global Detroit Study. Click on one of our partner organizations or initiatives to learn more.
Cultural Ambassadors
The Global Detroit Cultural Ambassadors program seeks to better connect and welcome immigrants, international students, foreign visitors, international investors, and the region’s international communities.
GTRI
GTRI focuses on strengthening and diversifying Michigan’s economy through the retention of top international talent. By retaining international students, GTRI is a catalyst to lessening the skills gap, especially in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and cultivating a climate in which Michigan businesses can be competitive in the new economy.
Opportunity Neighborhoods
Global Detroit has partnered with regional economic development partners, as well as with our friends in Windsor, Canada to develop an analysis of a regional nearshoring initiative that would aggressively recruit firms that want to expand operations in the U.S., but who are restrained by our immigration caps on skilled international workers. Detroit-Windsor can become the leading “nearshoring” base for the new economy. Not other U.S. region is as close, as large, or possesses as much binational business acumen developed over years of cooperative work on automotive manufacturing and other industries.
WE Global Network
The WE Global Network, a project of Welcoming America in partnership with Global Detroit, is comprised of over a dozen regional economic development initiatives from across the Midwest working to tap into the economic opportunities created by immigrants. Immigrant communities, when welcomed in their new home, can generate greater economic growth, job creation, and prosperity for an entire city or region.
What Can Immigrants Do
For Southeast Michigan?
( some numbers )
3 x
International Students are 3x as likely as U.S. born to major in STEM fields.
45 %
Immigrants make up 45% of all new U.S. Ph.D.s in life sciences, physical sciences, and computer sciences
Immigrants make up
50 %
of all new U.S. Ph.D.s in engineering
40 %
of all new U.S. master degrees in computer sciences, physical sciences, and engineering
25 %
of all practicing physicians
27 K
international students studying in Michigan
822 MM
Estimated annual expenditure from these students.
3 X
Michigan’s International students are 3x as likely as out of state students to stay and work in Michigan
11,612
net jobs were created or supported in the Michigan economy by international students and their families (2012-2013)
4X
Michigan’s International students are more than 4x as likely to major in STEM fields as domestic students
64 %
64.4% of Michigan Immigrants are working age, versus 50% of the native born population
3 X
Michigan immigrants have entrepreneurship rates 3x the native-born Michiganders
6X
Michigan immigrants are 6x more likely than native-born to start a high-tech firm
7X
Michigan immigrants are 7x more likely than native-born to file an international patents
32.8 %
Immigrants launched 32.8% of all high-tech firms in Michigan, ranking Michigan #3 in the nation after CA and NJ (1995-2005)
2.62
Every foreign STEM worker with an advanced U.S. degree is estimated to create 2.62 additional American jobs
25 %
Immigrants created 25% of all high-tech firms nationally (1995-2005)
40 %
More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children in 2010
10 MM
These companies employ 10 million people worldwide...
$4.2 Tr
And generate revenues of $4.2 trillion, greater than the GDP of every country in the world except China, Japan, and the U.S.
50 %
Start-up rate of immigrants has grown by 50%, whereas the U.S. born rate declined 10% (1996-2011)
$126 B
Immigrant owned businesses pay out $126 billion in payroll each year
28 %
Immigrants started 28% of new small business (2011)
4.7 MM
Immigrant small businesses employ 4.7 million workers
$800 B
Immigrant small businesses generate $800 billion in sales
