New Report Shows NE Ohio suffers for a Lack of Immigrants

June 3
Article By Robert L. Smith, The Plain Dealer

With the region's cultural diversity at its lowest point in 100 years, Northeast Ohio's economy lags the nation's. That's no coincidence, according to a report that highlights a missing ingredient. High-skill immigrants, mighty drivers of the New Economy, are conspicuously absent.

"Today, only five percent of the residents in Greater Cleveland are foreign-born," compared with about 33 percent in 1920, when the city was booming, notes the report commissioned by the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland. A lack of diversity places Cleveland in sharp contrast with America's rising cities, where immigrants play key roles as innovators and job creators, according to the analysis by researcher Becky Gaylord, a former editorial writer for The Plain Dealer.

Gaylord's report details steps the region can take to regain its lost status, including welcoming the world. It suggests creating an international welcome center that would help attract new talent and investment.

A sense of urgency threads the 75-page report. Cleveland is bleeding population and jobs and faces missing out on the global economy. With an average age near 40, Northeast Ohio is one of the oldest, least diverse, least educated regions in America.

"If Greater Cleveland could get and keep more immigrants, it would boost brain power, create businesses, revive neighborhoods and incite youthful innovators," the report states.

You can find the full report on the federation's homepage, jewishcleveland.org.