HIAS Partner JSS of Madison Among 25 Communities Selected for Gateways for Growth Challenge

SILVER SPRING, Md.—New American Economy (NAE) and Welcoming America announced this week that Dane County, Wisconsin will be one of the 25 communities to receive a Gateways for Growth award in the second year of the initiative. Launched in December 2015, the Gateways for Growth Challenge is a competitive opportunity for local communities to receive direct technical assistance from New American Economy and Welcoming America to develop multi-sector plans for welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees.

HIAS’ local resettlement partner in Dane County, Jewish Social Service of Madison, will use the opportunity to help build on the increasing demand from local government, business, and civic leaders who aim to develop concrete strategies and foster economic growth by integrating immigrants and refugees.

“Diversity of cultures and ideas directly affect our viability as an economic leader,” said JSS of Madison Executive Director Dawn Berney. “The quantitative research and technical assistance provided by NAE and Welcoming America will go a long way toward allowing Dane County to continue its strong economic growth. We are honored to be partnering on this important initiative with HIAS, the City of Madison, Dane County, the United Way of Dane County, and the many other organizations within our county who interact with immigrants.”

The Gateways for Growth Challenge will offer customized quantitative research reports from NAE on the demographic and economic contributions immigrants their communities; on-the-ground technical assistance from NAE and Welcoming America to help communities draft, execute, and communicate a multi-sector immigrant integration strategy; and planning grants from NAE that local partners have committed to match.

Following a rigorous application process, the following 25 communities were selected:

  • Alexandria, VA
  • Austin, MN
  • Boise, ID/Ada County, ID
  • Bowling Green, KY
  • Champaign-Urbana, IL
  • Chicago, IL
  • Corpus Christi, TX
  • Dallas, TX
  • Dane County, WI
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Fort Wayne, IN
  • Grand Forks, ND
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Harrisonburg, VA/Rockingham County, VA
  • Lancaster, PA
  • Little Rock, AR
  • Long Beach, CA
  • Memphis, TN
  • Missoula, MT
  • Northwest Arkansas
  • Portland, ME
  • San Diego, CA
  • Siouxland, IA/NE/SD
  • South Bend, IN
  • Tulsa, OK

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