immigrant entrepreneurs

The International Institute of St. Louis desperately needs the community to provide monetary donations to bridge the funding gap in resettling new arrivals. Officials say that because of rising costs, federal funding isn’t enough.

According to the U.S. Census data’s 2021 American Community Survey, immigrant households in the St. Louis region earned nearly $6 billion in total income, and held over $4 billion in spending power. St. Louis University demographer Ness Sandoval says immigrants are making a small but meaningful contribution to the vibrancy of the area’s economy, but there is more work that needs to be done to attract more immigrants.

This week, the community improvement district released the findings from a study that examined what may be missing from the business district. A market hall for developing businesses is one possibility.

“Caracas is a place I was born and raised, and it is my first home. St. Louis is my second one. The Arch now has become a symbol for home to me,” said one Latina resident who moved to St. Louis in the past decade.

Mientras algunos grupos en St. Louis están disminuyendo en población según el último censo, la comunidad latina está creciendo exponencialmente. “El Arch ahora se ha convertido en un símbolo de hogar para mí,” dijo una residente latina que se mudó a St. Louis en la última década.

The organization will help caterers specializing in Egyptian, Bosian and other types of cuisine offer Wednesday night dinners for curbside pickup.