!"#$ &'() *+,-.+ */$.0 1.

2$3 4$05,/2 6,"#78#9 :,#;$#8#9

<$=,/0 0, !> ?.=+.# 6"#7
Steve Tobocman
August 2u1S

0n Thuisuay }une 7 anu Fiiuay }une 8, 2u1S, New Solutions uioupulobal Betioit,
with assistance fiom Welcoming Ameiica, biought togethei neaily 1Su paiticipants
foi the initial convening of the ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik
1
(the "Netwoik" anu the
"Convening").
2
The convening consisteu of a one-uay public confeience anu a
shoitei seconu uay woiking session of iegional immigiant economic uevelopment
initiative leaueis (those making up the coie membeis of the Netwoik). The
convening facilitateu two full uays of netwoiking foi leaueis of iegional economic
uevelopment effoits acioss the Niuwest, anu national leaueis on the topic.
S


The initial Netwoik meeting was a tiemenuous success. Paiticipants iepoiteu the
event to be eneigizing, substantive, anu helpful. The coie founuing membeiship of a
potential Netwoik agieeu on the value of establishing a netwoik anu expiesseu a
uesiie to ieconvene befoie the enu of 2u1S. A consensus mission statement was
uiafteu anu six woik gioups weie establisheu to flesh out the visioning completeu
uuiing the Fiiuay woik session.

In the month leauing up to the convening, no fewei than foui national meuia stoiies
highlighteu the woik of the coie membeiship of a nascent Netwoiklocal economic
uevelopment initiatives seeking to fostei iegional economic giowth thiough
immigiation. The convening itself geneiateu seveial local meuia stoiies as well.
These aie attacheu in Appenuices C anu B, iespectively.

Steve Tobocman, Nanaging Paitnei of New Solutions uioup, LLC (New Solutions)
anu the Biiectoi of ulobal Betioit, piepaieu this iepoit foi the }N Kaplan Funu in
fulfillment of contiactual obligations to the Funu.


@A>>B<C D6 E<D:FFGH4*@ D6 6H<@I :D4JF4H4*

The concept of a Netwoik anu initial convening emeigeu fiom inteiactions between
leaueiship at ulobal Betioit, Welcome Bayton, vibiant Pittsbuigh, ulobal Clevelanu,

1
The name of the Network is still under consideration but Global Great Lakes Network was the initial
working title used at the Convening. The eventual name of the Network will depend on its composition
and geographic footprint.
2
A list of the attendees to the public conference on Thursday, June 7 is attached as Appendix A.
3
A list of the attendees to the work session on Friday, June 8 is attached as Appendix B. Most of these
attendees also participated in a cocktail party on Wednesday evening and a dinner on Thursday evening and
the out-of-area guests stayed at the same bed-and-breakfast to maximize informal networking, dialogue,
and interaction. Three representatives from Michigan Governor Rick Snyders office, including Zak
Tomich, the lead for Governor Snyder on Global Michigan, participated for the full day of the Friday work
session, but did not attend any other events.
2
anu the Welcome Centei of Inuianapolis ovei the fall of 2u12. In eaily 2u1S, Steve
Tobocman uevelopeu a ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik concept papei with input fiom
Welcoming Ameiica anu the }N Kaplan Funu, as well as the coie membeis of a
ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik.
4
The concept papei highlighteu the emeigence of
seveial inuepenuent effoits acioss Rust Belt metiopolitan aieas focusing on
immigiation as an economic uevelopment oppoitunity. Each initiative hau launcheu
since 2u1u.

Piioi to the convening (once appiopiiate funus weie secuieu
S
), a suivey was
uevelopeu to obtain input fiom the coie membeis of a potential ulobal uieat Lakes
Netwoik.
6
The suivey alloweu New Solutions to uevelop consistent uesciiptions of
the coie membeis anu cieate a ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik website
(www.globaluL.oig) that incluueu links anu uesciiptions of the coie membei
piogiams anu effoits. The suivey also highlighteu that the coie membeis weie
inteiesteu in coveiing the following topics at the convening (in iankeu oiuei):

1. Attiacting Foieign Investment
2. Welcoming Initiatives
S. Retaining Inteinational Stuuents
4. Attiacting Inteinational Talent
S. Changing Community Peiceptions
6. Coipoiate Engagement

Paiticipants weie paiticulaily exciteu to connect with otheis uoing similai woik.
They hau seen theii woik focusing on the economic uevelopment potential of
immigiation as unique anu weie eneigizeu to meet othei piactitioneis acioss the
Rust Belt woiking on the same inteisectional effoits. Below is a sample of the
comments that unueiscoies the netwoiking value of the convening:

The most exciting part of Thursday is that were all actually here (together)
Its huge and exciting to share ideas
Enjoyed hearing aspects of peoples similar initiatives
Thursday helped gauge what our group has been doing right
I am excited and humbled
Excited to learn and share and develop a Midwest network
Thursday showed how far weve come in the past few years
I am inspired by new relationshipsthis entire eventall these cities together
Enjoyed hearing all different models at work and how they work at a
local/regional/national scene

4
The concept paper is attached under Appendix E.
5
Funding for the convening was secured from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
($10,000), Quicken Loans ($5,000), and Fakhoury Law Group ($3,000), as well as in-kind support from
Delta Airlines, the University of Detroit-Mercy Law School, and the Detroit Regional Chamber of
Commerce. The JM Kaplan Fund funded the preparation of this report ($5,000).
6
The survey is attached under Appendix F.
3
This has been wonderful networking opportunity
The convening has been great, especially seeing others who care as much as we
do and share our enthusiasm
I hope we will all stay together
The most valuable aspect has been the relationships with other organizations who
are further along
The energy in the room is amazing
I am struck by positive energy

The uuLN event also offeieu the oppoitunity to cieate a veiy basic convening
website that incluueu links to all of the coie membei piogiams, as well as othei
peitinent convening mateiials (agenuas, bios, ielateu stuuies, etc.).

A ieview of feeuback foims anu notes fiom the bieakouts sessions on Thuisuay
uemonstiates that the public confeience poition of the convening was well ieceiveu.
Specifically, paiticipants founu Richaiu Beiman's keynote speech to be uplifting,
eneigizing, motivational, anu infoimative. They also enjoyeu Steve Tobocman's
opening iemaiks anu fiaming of the fiist seveial speakeis anu puipose of the
convening. Petei uonzales was well ieceiveu anu Paul Schutt's piesentation on
talent attiaction was giipping anu inspiiing.

As noteu, coie uuL Netwoik membeis anu national expeits on Fiiuay weie askeu to
give impiessions of Thuisuay's public confeience. Again, the netwoiking
oppoitunities (which incluueu cocktails on Weunesuay, bieakfast on Thuisuay, anu
a uinnei on Thuisuay evening) weie citeu as ciitically valuable to the expeiience. A
woiu clouu of the coie uuL Netwoik membeis' comments appeais below:



4
Buiing the seconu uay of the convening, leaueis fiom each of the Netwoik coie
membeis met with some national expeits to uiscuss the puipose, mission, anu
objectives of foiming a ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik. Alan Levy of uoaltiac
facilitateu the five-houi woik session. uoveinoi Snyuei's office sent thiee staff
membeis who stayeu anu paiticipateu foi the entiie uay.

The Netwoik membeis expiesseu a uesiie to iefine a mission statement foi the
Netwoik. Staiting fiom language boiioweu fiom the initial concept papei,
paiticipants spent some time iefining it fuithei. Netwoik membeis will finalize anu
appiove the new language befoie it is maue public.

The Fiiuay session also was uevoteu to ueveloping the woik objectives, piogiams,
anu value that a Netwoik coulu pioviue to the coie membeis. Initial iueas weie
piesenteu fiom the pie-convening suivey anu theie was auuitional uiscussion anu
biainstoiming on piogiammatic woik. Paiticipants then voteu foi theii most
uesiieu piogiams anu these weie gioupeu to piioiitize Netwoik objectives anu
woik. Fiom this giouping, the woik gioup uevelopeu woiking committees to
continue the uialogue aftei the meeting.

The woiking committees foimeu at the woik session incluueu:

1. Peei-to-Peei Leaining
2. Confeience anu Events
S. }oint Funuiaising
4. }oint Technology, Assets, anu Resouices
S. }oint Auvocacy anu Piogiams
6. Neuia, Social Neuia, anu Communications

Befoie the meeting, all of the coie membei paiticipants expiesseu a uesiie to cieate
anu paiticipate in a ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik whose focus woulu be to suppoit
anu enhance the inuiviuual iegional immigiant economic uevelopment effoits of the
coie membeis. The coie membei oiganizations agieeu to meet befoie the enu of
the yeai, continuing to woik thiough the committees until the next meeting. The
gioup uiscusseu meeting in conjunction with the National Immigiation Integiation
Confeience in Niami in Novembei, pioviueu that tiavel money coulu be iaiseu to
suppoit paiticipation of all cities. If such funus weie not iaiseu, a Niuwest meeting
woulu be helu insteau with lowei tianspoitation costs.

The convening was a tiemenuous success anu paiticipants, especially the coie
membei cities, expiesseu unanimously positive anu effusive piaise foi the event.
The convening, howevei, uiu not auuiess how to foim anu sustain a ulobal uieat
Lakes Netwoik anu the paiticipants uiu not uevelop a specific bluepiint oi ioaumap
to move fiom the conceptual phase to implementation. The iesouices necessaiy foi
this piocess, as well as the iesouices neeueu to opeiate the Netwoik, weie not
iuentifieu.

5
The geogiaphic basis foi a Netwoik also iemaineu uncleai aftei the convening,
which coulu have an impoitant impact on the iuentity of netwoik membeis. Boes a
city like Chicago that is in the footpiint of the Netwoik get to join oi is the
immigiant expeiience anu iesouice size that is geometiically laigei than any peei
piogiam get incluueu oi excluueu. Bow about othei cities, like Baltimoie, that face
significant economic challenges with the uecline of manufactuiing anu inuustiy, but
fall outsiue of the Niuwest iegion. This question will neeu to be tackleu at the next
convening.

While few of the local effoits have piocesseu how feueial immigiation iefoim will
impact theii local communities, the cieation of a netwoik coulu enable these local
economic uevelopment effoits the oppoitunity to position themselves as eaily
auopteis anu to help connect with implementation of feueial immigiation iefoim.
This coulu be essential to cieating feueial funuing stieams, philanthiopic iesouices,
anu coipoiate suppoit.


6DA4GBIHD4B1 E<H4:HE1F@ A4GF<1CH4* *1DKB1 *<FBI 1B?F@ 4FILD<?

A uiaft mission statement was piesenteu uuiing the woiking session, auapteu fiom
the ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik concept papei fiom eaily 2u1S.

G/.M0 >8338,# @0.0$N$#0 M/,N :,#;$#8#9O

"#$ %&'()& %*$)+ ,)-$. /$+0'*-1. 23..3'4 3. +' $45)5$ 34 )6+373+3$. +#)+
.+*$45+#$4 +#$ 0'*-8 2)9323:$ +#$ 32;)6+8 )4< .=.+)34 +#$ $>>'*+. '> 3+.
34<373<=)& *$53'4)& 2$2($*. +' 0$&6'2$8 *$+)348 )4< $2;'0$* 32235*)4+
6'22=43+3$. ). 7)&=$< 6'4+*3(=+'*. +' ) *$53'41. $6'4'236 <$7$&';2$4+
343+3)+37$.?

Retieat paiticipants weie askeu to evaluate the ielevance of the concepts behinu the
woius in the uiaft mission statement anu to auu any concepts that they felt weie
missing. The concepts iuentifieu as most founuational to a ulobal uieat Lakes
Netwoik, iankeu by amount of suppoit, incluueu:

1. Suppoit the inuiviuual oiganizations
2. Immigiants as assets to community to be nuituieu anu giown
S. "ulobal"
4. "Netwoik"
S. Economic Bevelopment
6. Community Bevelopment
7. Attiaction, ietention, anu elevation

G/.M0 J838,# @0.0$N$#0 M/,N :,#;$#8#9O

6
Immigiant communities, when welcomeu in theii new home, can geneiate
gieatei economic giowth, job cieation, anu piospeiity foi an entiie city oi
iegion. The ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik is compiiseu of iegional economic
uevelopment initiatives woiking to tap into the oppoitunities cieateu by
immigiants.

:,/$ J.+"$3O

1. Immigiant communities aie assets to be nuituieu anu giown as a
means of piouucing economic oppoitunity foi the entiie iegion.

2. Welcoming immigiants into the economic anu social fabiic of a iegion
helps to make that iegion moie economically competitive anu moie
attiactive socially.

S. Regional economic uevelopment initiatives can play a iole not just in
attiacting immigiants, but also in ietaining them anu in enhancing
theii iole in the community's economic anu social fabiic.


4FPI @IFE@ H4 4FILD<? :<FBIHD4 B4G :D4@D1HGBIHD4

Theie is stiong potential foi cieating a netwoik that will focus on suppoiting
existing iegional economic uevelopment effoits. The uozen oi so local effoits that
paiticipateu in the ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik convening expiesseu a stiong uesiie
to ieconvene anu to builu such a netwoik. The vast majoiity of inteiesteu local
effoits have uevelopeu since 2u1u anu each believes that it is tackling this woik
without many mouels to emulate oi builu fiom. Theiefoie, the peisonal
connections, best piactices infoimation, anu infoimation shaiing of a netwoik has
tiemenuous value in an emeiging inuustiy of local playeis.

Key challenges aie iesouice uevelopment anu capacity builuing. Nost of the
initiatives aie small anu eaily-stage anu aie unuei-iesouiceu, with little time to
focus on bioauei activities beyonu theii local woik. While the existence of a
netwoik woulu impiove the quality anu impact of these oiganizations' local woik,
investing in collaboiation, tiaining, anu ieseaich will be uifficult absent an infusion
of iesouices into the fielu.

Baseu on the many conveisations that leu to the uiafting of the ulobal uieat Lakes
Netwoik concept papei, the pie-convening suivey feeuback, the uialogue at the
convening's public confeience anu woik session, theie aie at least foui elements
that aie essential to builuing a ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik:

1. IQ$ 4$05,/2 >"30 B77 J.+"$ 0, 1,R.+ FMM,/03

7
The puipose of the Netwoik must be to auu value to the woik happening within
local communities. Nembeis aie only willing to paiticipate in the Netwoik to the
extent that theie aie benefits to theii coie woik within theii own communities. As
noteu by Biuce Katz, vice Piesiuent of the Biookings Institution, "|Thej bottom line:
theie is no national Ameiican economy oi Ameiican society. Rathei, the 0.S.
economy anu society is a netwoik of poweiful metiopolitan economies anu
metiopolitan communities."
7
A ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik can fostei economic
uevelopment in Rust Belt cities best by woiking thiough local metiopolitan oi city
effoits in the key metiopolitan aieas of the iegion.

This fiist essential element also suggests that the Netwoik must be uesigneu anu
opeiate in a mannei that is flexible so that infoimation, best piactices, anu
iesouices can fit within the local context. As noteu by Katz, while theie may be
many similaiities between the population loss of Bayton, Clevelanu, anu Betioit,
each has its own unique challenges anu oppoitunities. Each has its own unique
make-up of immigiant anu iefugee communities. Each has its own unique set of
assets anu playeis (inuustiies, univeisities, nonpiofit immigiation seivice
pioviueis, political enviionments, municipal leaueis, expoits, etc.) upon which to
builu a successful economic uevelopment initiative baseu on iobust immigiation.
Accoiuingly, the Netwoik must be able to pioviue infoimation, best piactices, anu
iesouices that can fit within this uiveisity of local context.

Anothei unique chaiacteiistic this fiist essential element is that the Netwoik must
be uesigneu so that the often ovei-woikeu anu unuei-iesouiceu nascent local
effoits aie able to obtain value without significant time oi iesouice investment into
the Netwoik. 0f couise some level of effoit, buy-in, anu eneigy must be pioviueu by
the membeis of the Netwoik foi it to be substantive, useful, anu successful, but the
Netwoik is not likely to suivive if the local effoits aie askeu to staff it as volunteeis
oi thiough uiveiting local iesouices to suppoit it (although volunteei effoit anu
some local iesouice suppoit will be necessaiy).

2. IQ$ 4$05,/2 >"30 6,R"3 ,# FR,#,N8R G$;$+,=N$#0 .#7 <$98,#.+
K$#$M803 0, 4,#SHNN89/.#03

As noteu in the uuLN concept papei attacheu as Appenuix E, each of the coie
membei piogiams focus on the economic uevelopment aspects of iobust local
immigiation:

While each |of the iegional ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik membeij effoit builus
on the unique assets anu challenges of its paiticulai locality, they all shaie a
iefieshing notion that immigiation is a poweiful economic uiivei anu woulu
gieatly stiengthen theii paiticulai iegional economy . . . |Each of the local
piogiamsj shaies the vision of giowing the local economy thiough a moie
iobust immigiant community anu moie integiateu anu welcoming ieception by

7
Bruce Katz, Governing Magazine, June 3, 2013.
8
that community. Each initiative contains at least some element of
communicating to the geneial public on the benefits that immigiants anu
iefugees biing to the iegion.
8


The economic uevelopment focus of these iegional initiatives anu the Netwoik is
ciucial. In many iespects, it iepiesents a paiauigm shift fiom tiauitional immigiant
iights anu immigiation seivices woik. While ceitainly an economic uevelopment
focus shaies most, if not many, oveilapping goals, objectives, anu even activities as
tiauitional immigiant iights anu immigiation seivices woik, it biings new eneigy to
those issuesviewing immigiants anu iefugees as assets who biing economic value
to the iegion anu to the non-immigiant communities.

Keeping the focus of the Netwoik anu the local membeis on economic uevelopment
anu the benefits to non-immigiants has seveial uistinct auvantages. It can minimize
the notion that the woik is competing with oi ieplacing tiauitional immigiants
iights anu immigiation seivices. Tiauitional immigiants iights anu immigiation
seivices woik aie impoitant anu shoulu continue. An economic uevelopment focus
iepiesents a new oppoitunity anu lens fiom which to tackle Ameiica's immigiation
pioblems. It biings new paitneis to the table anu it communicates with the geneial
(non-immigiant) public on teimsjob cieation, iegional economic giowth, anu
piospeiitythat speak to theii coie inteiests in the mattei.

Finally, an economic uevelopment emphasis, paiticulaily one that focuses on the
benefits that will acciue to non-immigiants, can help attiact suppoiteis to the woik,
incluuing local electeu officials, coipoiate anu founuational suppoit, business
leaueis, anu the geneial public. This is impoitant foi a topic as contioveisial as
immigiation.

S. IQ$ 4$05,/2 >"30 A3$ .# B33$0SK.3$7 B==/,.RQ

0nueilying this economic uevelopment peispective is the notion that immigiants
anu iefugees aie assets. At times, an asset-baseu appioach to immigiation can
iepiesent a paiauigm shift fiom tiauitional immigiant iights oi immigiation
seivices woik that often stiess the chaiitable, social justice, anu seivice neeus of
immigiants anu iefugees. In othei woius, iathei than woiking to help immigiants
anu iefugees because of the social justice oi chaiitable impeiative, an asset-baseu
appioach suggests that policies, seivices, anu auvocacy be uesigneu anu
implementeu to unleash the economic contiibutions that immigiants anu iefugees
have to offei the iegion.

An asset-baseu appioach to tiauitional immigiation seivices can ieveal new
oppoitunities anu can enhance the effectiveness of olu mouels. Skilleu immigiant
integiation woik (successfully tackleu by INPRINT anu its membeis at 0pwaiuly
ulobal, Welcome Back Initiative, Woilu Euucation Seivices, the Welcoming Centei

8
Global Great Lakes Network Concept Paper, 2013, page 2.
9
foi New Pennsylvanians, anu the Community College Consoitium foi Immigiant
Euucation) pioviues an example of how tiauitional woikfoice uevelopment seivices
can be tailoieu to effectively meet the unique neeus anu attiibutes of immigiant anu
iefugee populations.

An asset-baseu appioach to immigiant economic uevelopment woik establishes a
fiamewoik that moie accuiately speaks to the economic iealities that Rust Belt
metiopolitan aieas encountei with an immigiant population that is often moie
euucateu, moie entiepieneuiial, anu moie affluent on aveiage than the geneial
population.

4. IQ$ 4$05,/2 >"30 E/,;87$ 1,R.+ H#808.08;$ 1$.7$/3 580Q 6.R$S0,S6.R$
H#0$/.R08,#3

The local economic uevelopment effoits that compiise the emeiging ulobal uieat
Lakes Netwoik aie all young anu innovative. Theie is no bluepiint oi establisheu
Rust Belt city mouel foi these piogiams to follow. Each is seeking to tackle an
objectiveiebuiluing theii iegional economy thiough an explicit stiategy of tapping
into immigiationthat is novel anu untiieu.
9
To uate, theie exists no peifect
tiaining cuiiiculum to enhance the effoits of these iegional initiatives. Beveloping
such a cuiiiculum woulu iequiie combining knowleuge anu skills in immigiation
law, woikfoice uevelopment, economic uevelopment, entiepieneuiship,
communications, nonpiofit management, funuiaising, woiking with electeu officials,
woiking with immigiant gioups, coipoiate engagement, among otheis.

uiven the complexity of the tasks that these local economic uevelopment initiative
uiiectois face, theie aie inheient limits in the usefulness of wiitten manuals anu
technical assistance uocuments, confeience calls, webinais, emails anu social meuia,
without the auueu benefit of face-to-face inteiaction with peeis anu expeits.

The feeuback fiom the Convening beais this out. Paiticipants univeisally iepoiteu
being eneigizeu anu inspiieu, as well as obtaining significant substantive knowleuge
fiom having met peei piactitioneis fiom othei cities. Nost paiticipants weie not
awaie that theie weie otheis tackling these same issues in othei cities. Some
leaineu about new appioaches that they woulu nevei have consiueieu otheiwise
thiough a peisonal conveisation ovei lunch oi uinnei oi a panel uiscussion. While
the Netwoik shoulu seek to utilize technology (webinais, email, confeience calls,
etc.) to facilitate contact anu infoimation shaiing wheievei possible to lowei
iesouice uemanus, in-peison gatheiings aie necessaiy given the uynamic natuie of

9
While a public or nonprofit sector approach to creating regional economic growth is relatively novel and
untried, there are numerous examples where robust immigration has been correlated with robust economic
growth. The strong economic correlation between immigration and economic growth cannot be refuted.
The notion that a public or nonprofit intervention can cause such growth is the relatively novel and untried
part.
10
inteiaction neeueu to suppoit the woik anu the eaily stage of uevelopment of the
Netwoik.


<F:D>>F4GBIHD4@ D4 FPF:AIH4* B @I<BIF*C *DH4* 6D<LB<G

0vei the next six months it will be impoitant foi the Netwoik to move foiwaiu to
builu upon the initial momentum cieateu by the Convening. Auuitionally, with
immigiation iefoim moving thiough the 0.S. Congiess iapiuly, it woulu be helpful to
establish the Netwoik moie fiimly to position it to assist its membeis with any post-
immigiation iefoim changes that might assist, challenge, anuoi impact theii woik.

In shoit, the next six months shoulu be useu to complete those poitions of the
netwoik-builuing piocess that can be uone iemotely (again, emphasizing the
utilization of technology |confeience calls, emails, webinais, etc.j wheie possible)
with an eye to hosting a seconu convening towaius the enu of 2u1S to finalize as
many netwoik-builuing activities as possible. Paiticipants in the seconu convening
can tackle any iemaining oi moie complex uecisions about the Netwoik.

uiven that none of the woik gioups that weie foimulateu uuiing the initial
Convening have self-staiteu, it is cleai that some leaueiship is neeueu to spui the
next steps of netwoik builuing. Neveitheless, the Netwoik will be stiongei anu
moie sustainable if it inspiies active paiticipation by its inuiviuual membeis in
netwoik planning anu iemains inclusive anu open.

Steve Tobocman anu his staff at New Solutions uioup, LLC have agieeu to attempt to
iuentify leaueiship within the woik gioups that weie foimeu at the Convening anu
pioviue a foim of this iepoit to the coie Netwoik paiticipants to help outline next
steps. The woik gioups woulu be chaigeu with ueveloping a pioposal oi outline of
tasks anu woik to be uone in theii aiea. Auuitionally, the coie Netwoik gioups
shoulu be suiveyeu to ueteimine if a city is willing to play the iole of hosting the
next convening. The host city coulu be iesponsible foi secuiing funuing foi the next
convening, as well as oiganizing the event.

Alteinatively, a leau oiganization oi team coulu be chaigeu with managing the woik
thiough the next convening. Specifically, the leau oiganization oi team woulu be
iesponsible foi (1) managing the woik gioups; (2) woiking with the host city's
Netwoik membeis to oiganize the seconu convening, incluuing obtaining funuing,
planning an agenua, secuiing space anu othei logistics, maiketing, secuiing
appiopiiate speakeis, etc.; anu (S) ueveloping the Netwoik planning so that the
seconu convening is effectively useu to foiwaiu Netwoik's oiganizational issues anu
stiategic planning. This thiiu task can incluue using confeience calls anu othei
communication tools with the Netwoik membeis to iesolve, fiame, oi piepaie foi
the iesolution at the convening of issues listeu below (e.g., ueteimining the
Netwoik's geogiaphic footpiint).

11
The following specific steps neeu to be unueitaken befoie a seconu convening:

1. 68#.+8T$ >8338,#

The initial Convening establisheu a uiaft mission, vision, anu coie values. These
have been ciiculateu, but the Netwoik's membeis neeu to finalize them via email oi
confeience call anu have theii oiganizations iatify the mission.

2. G$0$/N8#$ 0Q$ 4$05,/2U3 *$,9/.=Q8R 6,,0=/8#0

Closely linkeu to mission finalization is the ueteimination of the Netwoik's
geogiaphic footpiint with implications foi name anu bianuing, anu composition.
The woik of the Netwoik anu its membeis can be uesciibeu as iegional economic
uevelopment effoits focusing on immigiation as an economic uevelopment uiivei,
paiticulaily in metiopolitan aieas anu cities that have witnesseu inuustiial uecline
anuoi population loss.

As it ielates to geogiaphy theie appeai to be seveial questions:

1) uieat Lakes anu Niuwest oi Beyonu - Resolving this question fiist begs
the question of whethei oi not theie is something specific to the Niuwest
oi uieat Lakes iegion oi if othei noitheastein 0.S. cities coulu be incluueu
(given that these aieas have seen loss of inuustiy anu ueclining uiban
populations). Ceitainly, one woulu think that it woulu make sense to
incluue nascent effoits in Buffalo, NY, Cincinnati, 0B anu Foit Wayne, IN
(all of which weie inviteu, but unable to attenu). Cities like Baltimoie,
NB oi foimeily inuustiial cities in westein Nassachusetts oi New
Bampshiie, also likely have tiemenuous oveilap with the challenges,
oppoitunities, anu efficacy of an immigiant economic uevelopment
stiategy.

A seconu pait of this fiist question is whethei oi not cities oi metio aieas
that have low immigiation numbeis, but have not lost significant
population oi inuustiy shoulu be incluueu. Nany of these communities
woulu be in the West oi Noithwest (e.g., uianu Foiks, NB has an
immigiant welcoming piogiam that focuses on economic uevelopment).

2) National vs. Inteinational - Shoulu the Netwoik incluue Canauian Rust
Belt cities that have expeiienceu similai economic anu population loss
challenges (anu who aie looking at immigiation similaily as an economic
uevelopment tool). ulobal Betioit has collaboiateu with a vaiiety of
paitneis in Winusoi, Canaua, as well as some shoitei conveisations anu
connection to effoits in KitcheneiWateiloo anu Balifax.
1u


10
The Brookings Institution and Mowat Centre in Toronto have collaborated on a variety of Great Lakes
Initiative work and have included some mention of immigration in their collaborative efforts to bring
12

S) Inclusion of Robust Immigiation Netios - Shoulu the Netwoik incluue
cities anu iegions who have faceu population anu inuustiial loss, but who
have a much iichei immigiant community anu much moie iobust
immigiant attiaction, welcoming, anu economic uevelopment effoits.
Philauelphia faces many of the same challenges as Betioit anu Clevelanu
but has attiacteu moie immigiants. Anu what about Chicago, which has a
much laigei immigiant population anu suppoit system. Bow about
NinneapolisSt. Paul.

To iesolve these issues, a confeience call shoulu be scheuuleu foi a uialogue on
these issues following ciiculation of a shoit analytical memo on the pios anu cons of
inclusion of uiffeient types of cities fiom uiffeient paits of the countiy. The uecision
about footpiint woulu uiiectly affect the name choice foi the Netwoik anu bianuing
anu funuiaising effoits. Aftei some pie-convening uiscussion, if the Netwoik cannot
uevelop a cleai answei to these questions, the issue must be ueciueu at the seconu
convening, howevei, uelaying a uecision on the issue coulu impact who is able to
attenu the seconu convening.

S. A3$ 0Q$ :,NN800$$3 0, G$;$+,= 0Q$ E/,9/.NN.08R L,/2 ,M . 4$05,/2

The fiist convening woik session cieateu woik gioups to help iefine the
piogiammatic woik anu value that a Netwoik coulu piouuce in six aieas. Coie
membeis volunteeieu to seive on these woiking committees anu engage in planning
befoie the seconu convening. Each woik gioup alieauy possesses a iange of specific
iueas that weie biainstoimeu at the woik session, but neeus to iefine these iueas
anu uiscuss what implementation woulu iequiie. A template woik plan shoulu be
uevelopeu foi each committee to use in setting foith its iueas that woulu then be
evaluateu, iefineu, anu auopteu at the seconu convening. As noteu above, some
leaueiship will be neeueu to uevelop the template anu to help the committees set up
anu host theii initial meetings. Committee chaiis oi co-chaiis shoulu be selecteu to
facilitate the committee piocess in all six aieas.

The committees suggesteu at the convening incluueu:

a) Peei-to-Peei Leaining
b) Confeience anu Events
c) }oint Funuiaising
u) }oint Technology, Assets, anu Resouices
e) }oint Auvocacy anu Piogiams
f) Neuia, Social Neuia, anu Communications

4. B9/$$ ,# H#M/.30/"R0"/$ @"==,/0 M,/ 0Q$ 4$05,/2

economic prosperity to the larger Great Lakes region. These have included conversations about using the
Council on Great Lakes Region as a vehicle to help support the Network.
13

The amount of woik necessaiy to cieate, sustain, anu pioviue piogiamming foi the
Netwoik will be ueteimineu, in pait, by the woik plans uevelopeu by the
committees. Nonetheless, it is likely that the Netwoik will neeu some iesouices anu
staffing to pioviue any significant value. That staff may be less than one full-time
employee anu may be on a consulting basis oi may be a poition of an existing staff
peison at an umbiella oiganization. Some of the iesouices might incluue funuing
foi confeiences anu convenings such as the one helu in Betioit anu the seconu
convening planneu foi late 2u1S.

At the }une Convening, in which Welcoming Ameiica paiticipateu, a numbei of
attenuees expiesseu an inteiest in gieatei involvement by Welcoming Ameiica in
the Netwoik. Since the Convening, Steve Tobocman has hau pieliminaiy
conveisations with Welcoming Ameiica about its iole in facilitating the
uevelopment of the Netwoik. Welcoming Ameiica coulu pioviue a vaiiety of in-kinu
staffing anu othei iesouices that woulu be helpful but uoes not have sufficient
iesouices to funu the Netwoik long-teim without auuitional outsiue suppoit.
Welcoming Ameiica believes this woik coulu exist as an inuepenuent pioject within
Welcoming Ameiica (similai to the inuepenuent existence anu iuentity of
Welcoming Cities anu Counties). This initiative woulu focus on metio immigiant
economic uevelopment initiatives. Welcoming Ameiica woulu pioviue existing
auministiative systems anu is known anu iespecteu entity among many in the
funuing community. Noie uiscussions woulu neeu to be completeu, both inteinally
at Welcoming Ameiica anu inteinal to the ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik.

Theie aie othei options that coulu be exploieu as well, but, at this point, an
affiliation with Welcoming Ameiica appeais veiy piomising. These othei options
coulu be affiliating within an existing local oiganization (e.g. ulobal Betioit,
Welcoming Centei foi New Pennsylvanians, etc.) oi ueveloping a new oiganization
as a stanu-alone entity to oveisee the Netwoik. Finally, the Netwoik coulu exist
without a foimal oiganizational home anu the membeis coulu collectively contiact
with a consulting fiim foi seivices. This final option is piobably the least uesiiable,
as it lacks claiity foi funueis, foi management, anu coulu be moie time-intensive in
auuiessing management issues in the long-iun than simply making some uecisions
eaily in the Netwoik-builuing piocess.

The final infiastiuctuie systems shoulu be ueciueu at the seconu convening. It will
be impoitant to unueistanu the woik that the Netwoik pioposes to uo, the
iesouices iequiieu of that woik, anu the potential souices of funuing to meet the
iesouice neeus. Piioi to the convening, moie infoimation can be obtaineu about
specific infiastiuctuie suppoit options to help in the uecision-making, but,
ultimately, the uecisions on infiastiuctuie will neeu to not only have bioau suppoit
among the Netwoik coie membeis, but the paitneis anu funueis of the woik.

S. V,30 . @$R,#7 :,#;$#8#9

14
As noteu above, a seconu convening was envisioneu anu agieeu to by paiticipants at
the initial Convening. The gioup uiscusseu meeting as pait of the National
Immigiation Integiation Confeience in Niami in Novembei if funuing to suppoit
tiavel coulu be iaiseu. Noie likely, a seconu convening shoulu be hosteu locally.
Columbus oi Bayton is piobably the most centially locateu, but Pittsbuigh
paiticipants seemeu eagei to host the seconu convening.

While the seconu convening might not neeu to incluue the public confeience
element that the Betioit convening hau, iesouices will be neeueu to secuie meeting
space, meals, as well as possible tiavel scholaiships anu othei activities. ulobal
Betioit anu New Solutions uioup iaiseu those iesouices locally foi the fiist
convening. 0ne piimaiy option foi a successful seconu convening woulu be to ask a
Netwoik membei city to agiee to take on the iole of seconu convening host,
incluuing the iole of iaising the iesouices anu oveiseeing the logistics of such an
event.

If an appiopiiate host (who can iaise the necessaiy iesouices anu hanule the
logistics in six months oi less) can not be ueteimineu, a seconu option woulu be to
ask ulobal Betioit anu New Solutions uioup to assist in these effoits. This woulu
iequiie some fee foi theii laboi. An auuitional option to be exploieu woulu be to
woik with Welcoming Ameiica to help facilitate a seconu convening. Welcoming
Ameiica staff may be willing to assist in the logistics anuoi funuiaising oi willing to
help seeu funu the woik to make a seconu convening happen.

A convening offeis a tiemenuous oppoitunity foi netwoiking anu best piactice
shaiing. So, even if a public confeience is not incluueu, time shoulu be built in foi
these activities. The seconu convening shoulu last at least a full uay to enable
paiticipants to auuiess the many founuational questions iaiseu above, incluuing:

a. Finalizing uiaft mission, vision, anu coie values
b. Finalizing geogiaphic footpiint
c. Beveloping an initial woik plan (with woik in all six committee aieas)
u. Finalize iuentity anu oiganizational stiuctuie (choose a name, host
oiganization, staffing plan anu funu uevelopment plan).


:D4:1A@HD4

A seismic shift in how immigiants aie vieweu has been unueiway amongst
economic uevelopment piactitioneis in neaily a uozen Niuwest anu Rust Belt
metiopolitan aieas. New initiatives to piomote immigiation as an economic
uevelopment oppoitunity have piouuceu ulobal Betioit, vibiant Pittsbuigh, ulobal
Clevelanu, Welcome Bayton, ulobal Nichigan, St. Louis Nosaic, anu ulobal Lansing.
Similai piogiams oi consoitia aie emeiging oi unuei uiscussion in Inuianapolis,
Columbus, Toleuo, Flint, anu Foit Wayne. /'4$ '> +#$.$ $>>'*+. $93.+$< ($>'*$ @AAB?

15
These ulobal metiopolitan initiatives (oi in one case, a statewiue effoit) couple
Niuwestein sensibility anu piagmatism with the neeu to auuiess the iegion's
unique population anu inuustiy loss pioblems to cieate an unlikely appioach to the
contioveisial issue. While each effoit builus on the unique assets anu challenges of
its paiticulai locality, they all shaie a iefieshing notion that immigiation is an asset
anu a poweiful economic uiivei that woulu gieatly stiengthen theii paiticulai
iegional economy. Nany focus on skilleu anu highly-euucateu immigiants, but
seveial explicitly taiget anu suppoit woiking-class immigiants. Nost builu upon
theii Niuwestein cultuial ioots anu incluue an element of welcoming. Some enjoy
suppoit fiom electeu officials (even one Republican goveinoi). Some seek to change
the iegional cultuie of native-boin Ameiicans; otheis seek to connect with, attiact,
anu ietain immigiants. Some stiess tiauitional immigiant integiation seivices (e.g.,
ESL, citizenship, legal seivices, etc.). Anu all have a uesiie to giow anu leain fiom
each othei.

Aftei months of uiscussion anu netwoiking, iepiesentatives fiom ten of these
initiatives joineu with ovei 1uu suppoiteis in Betioit foi a two-uay initial convening
of a ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik. The fiist uay was a public confeience that coveieu
shaieu topics of inteiest, incluuing welcoming initiatives, inteinational stuuent
ietention, foieign uiiect investment, talent attiaction, coipoiate outieach stiategies,
municipal seivices, anu othei topics. The seconu uay consisteu of some
biainstoiming on activities that a netwoik coulu puisue anu uevelopment of a
mission anu vision. The convening was cause to suivey the coie membei initiatives
of the netwoik, unueistanu theii activities, anu outline the uesiies the membeis
have foi a netwoik.

The membei initiatives uevelopeu a potential mission statement:

"#$ %&'()& %*$)+ ,)-$. /$+0'*-1. 23..3'4 3. +' $45)5$ 34 )6+373+3$. +#)+
.+*$45+#$4 +#$ 0'*-8 2)9323:$ +#$ 32;)6+8 )4< .=.+)34 +#$ $>>'*+. '> 3+.
34<373<=)& *$53'4)& 2$2($*. +' 0$&6'2$8 *$+)348 )4< $2;'0$*
32235*)4+ 6'22=43+3$. ). 7)&=$< 6'4+*3(=+'*. +' ) *$53'41. $6'4'236
<$7$&';2$4+ 343+3)+37$.?

They iuentifieu six aieas of woik wheie the Netwoik coulu pioviue value to the
inuiviuual iegional membeis. volunteeis weie signeu up to help flush out iueas in
these aieas of woik. Anu the gioup agieeu to ieconvene befoie the enu of 2u1S.

In oiuei foi a Netwoik to move foiwaiu, the specific natuie, value, anu goals of the
activities of the Netwoik must be ueteimineu. The iesouice neeus to meet these
goals must be iuentifieu anu stiategies uevelopeu anu executeu to obtain these
iesouices. The mission statement, vision, anu values must finalizeu. Key questions
about the geogiaphic scope (anu name) of the Netwoik must be answeieu. Finally,
oiganizational infiastiuctuie questions must be answeieu.

16
A seconu convening shoulu be stiuctuieu to complete these tasks. The membeis of
the Netwoik must be engageu to tackle many of these challenges piioi to a seconu
convening so that the convening is moie of a final uecision-making event, iathei
than a step in ongoing ieseaich, uelibeiation, anu uialogue. Bopefully, committee
woik anu, peihaps, some minimal fiaming woik woulu facilitate this outcome.

As the 0niteu States appeais moie likely to pass some foim of feueial immigiation
iefoim, the impact anu impoitance of a ulobal uieat Lakes Netwoik anu the
inuiviuual metiopolitan effoits within the Netwoik will be magnifieu. If the
stiuggling Rust Belt anu uiban economies of the uieat Lakes iegion aie able to
uevelop effective economic integiation stiategies, these communities will be poiseu
to benefit fiom a moie iobust feueial immigiation system. Auuitionally, the
implementation of integiation piogiams to implement any feueial iefoim woulu
have the oppoitunity to be cooiuinateu with effoits that aie focuseu on the
economic anu integiation oppoitunities, insteau of focuseu solely on the legal
machinations of the piogiam oi some othei peispective.

The oiganic emeigence of somewhat ievolutionaiy immigiation economic
uevelopment piogiams in neaily a uozen Niuwest metiopolitan aieas in foui shoit
yeais iepiesents an histoiic moment. It is oui hope that thiough collaboiation,
shaieu leaining, anu builuing a netwoik, we can fully capitalize on this oppoitunity.

Last Name Organization Title Mailing Address City, State and Zip Code Website of your organization Role
Ansara Michael ACCESS-Growth Coordinator 6451 Maple St. Dearobrn, MI. 48126 www.accesscommunity.org
Arbulu Agustin Hospice Solutions CEO
31800 Northwestern
Hwy, Suite 205A Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Austin John Michigan Economic Center & Brookings Institution Director/Non-Resident Senior Fellow
303 Detroit St Suite
400 Ann Arbor MI 48104 www.MiEconomicCEnter.org
Beidleman Dr. Timothy T_Space #G151 Corporation CEO tspaceg151.com
Belzer Michael Great Lakes Global Freight Gateway President
Also Wayne State
University Detroit, MI 48202
Bertolo Melissa City of Dayton Human Relations Council Facilitator
Bihun Matthew ProsperUS Detroit Micro-Lending Officer 1920 25th Street Detroit http://prosperusdetroit.org/ Partner
Bortak Becky IEE Sensing, Inc. Human Resources 1121 Centre Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 iee.lu
Boyce Geoffrey Global Detroit Volunteer
Brennan Kathryn Global Detroit Staff
Brooks Masters Suzette JM Kaplan Fund Partner
Buell, Jr. Thomas GlobalPittsburgh
Director, Study Pittsburgh Initiative &
Marketing 650 Smithfield Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 www.globalpittsburgh.org Partner
Burke George One World through Education Consultant 3021 Scarborough Rd Cleveland Heights,Ohio 44118
Cade Michelle Marygrove College Director of Interntional Programs
8425 W. McNichols
Rd. Detroit, MI 48221 www.marygrove.edu
Castrovillari Andrea Global Cleveland FACILITATOR
Cohen Betsy St. Louis Immigration & Innovation Initiative Project Director Partner
Connor Al Recruiting and Relocation Associates Founder/Principal 2081 Lakeshire Dr West Bloomfield www.rrapartners.com
Craft Anne GTRI of Michigan
Director of Marketing &
Communications
1100 N. Main St. STE
117 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 www.MiGTRI.org Partner
Creticos Peter Institute for Work & the Economy Speaker
Cruz John Global Detroit 4444 Second St Detroit, MI 48201 globaldetroit.com Staff
Cynar Christopher P. Sustainable Water Works Associate
440 Burroughs St.
Suite 209 Detroit, MI 48202 www.sustainablewaterworks.org
Dahlberg James A. TiE Ohio 882 Skinner Ave Painesville, OH 44077
Dobrzycka Adriana Vibrant Pittsburgh Speaker
Downs-Karkos Susan Welcoming America Facilitator
Durden Tracey Madonna University Director of Human Resources
36600 Schoolcraft
Road Livonia, MI 48150 www.madonna.edu
Egnatios Edward The Skillman Foundation
100 Talon Centre Dr.,
Suite 100 Detroit, MI 48207 Partner
Fakhoury Rami D. Fakhoury Law Group Manging Director
3290 West Big Beaver
Rd Ste 510 Troy, MI 48084 employmentimmigration.com
Flores Adonis Global Detroit Volunteer
Franklin Dr. Randi Lou INTER-LINGUA CEO PO BOX 360662 GPF, MI 48236 www.Inter-Lingua-Online.com
Gallagher Ellen Welcoming America Facilitator
Ganesan Tel Kyyba Speaker
Gebremedhin Katherine WES Global Talent Bridge Facilitator
Gonzales Peter Welcoming Center of New Pennsylvanians Keynote Speaker
Graham Sara LEAP Director of Talent & Communications
500 E. Michigan Ave.,
Ste. 202 Lansing www.purelansing.com Partner
Grund Melanie Congressman Sander Levin's office
Grunow Francis Global Detroit Staff
Harb Sonia ACCESS-Growth Senior Director 6451 Maple St. Dearborbn, MI. 48126 www.accesscommunity.org Partner
Hattar Jeralda Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan Director 15945 Canal Road Clinton Township, MI 48038
Heidel Gary MSHDA Director of Policy P.O. Box 30044 Lansing, MI 48909 www.michigan.gov/mshda
Herman Richard Richard T. Herman & Associates Keynote Speaker
Herrick Sloan Global Detroit Staff
Horne Dillon Global Detroit Intern
Johnson Burney MSHDA Deputy Director 3028 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit MI 48202
Johnson Sarah Immigrant Welcome Center Coordinator, Welcoming Indianapolis 0
Kallick David Fiscal Policy Institute
Kamat Pradip TiE Ohio Charter Member
24700 Cahgrin Blvd.,
Suite 104 Cleveland, Ohio 44122 www.tieohio.org
Kasham Aysha AJK Law, PLLC
Kerr Juliana The Chicago Council on Global Affairs Director, Studies Special Initiatives
332 S. Michigan
Avenue, Suite 1100 Chicago, IL 60604 thechicagocouncil.org
Keyes Trevor Bay Future, Inc. Economic Development Specialist
721 Washington Ave.
Suite 309 Bay City, MI 48708 www.bayfuture.com
King Sarah Global Detroit Staff
Kluger Avram JFGAA Campaign Director
Krichbaum Daniel H. Michigan Department of Civil Rights http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/ Speaker
Lane Mary The Welcome Mat Detroit Project Director 111 E. Kirby Detroit, MI 48202 www.welcomematdetroit.org Partner
Lavers Pamela J. Macomb County Assistant County Executive
One South Main, 8th
Floor Mt. Clemens, MI 48045 MacombCountyMi.gov
Leppek Derrin TechTown
Managing Director, Place Based
Entrepreneurial Programs 440 Burroughs Detroit, MI 48202
Mann George Law Offices of George P. Mann & Associates 32560 Colony Hill Franklin www.greencard-us.com
Masters Suzette JM Kaplan Fund Program Director, Migration
261 Madison Avenue,
19th floor New York, NY 10016 www.jmkfund.org
Mazur Kasia Fakhoury Law Group
McDermott Celeste McDermott, PLLC Attorney/Mediator
McLean Patrick City of Toledo Finance Director
One Government
Center, Suite 2050 Toledo, OH 43604
McLellan Mary MDCR/Global Michigan Commissions Liaison 110 W Michigan Ave Lansing MI 48933 http://michigan.gov/mdcr Partner
McLin Linda MI Dept of Civil Rights
Project Coordinator - Business &
Community Affairs
3504 W. Grand Blvd.,
Suite 3-600 Detroit, MI 48202 www.michigan.gov/mdcr
McRae Patrick Prima Civitas Director, International Programs
325 East Grand River
Suite 275 East Lansing, MI 48823 www.primacivitas.org
Morris Downs Terri Immigrant Welcome Center
Morse Matthew Fakhoury Law Group
Nahata Harsha University of Michigan Student
Nelson Micah Global Detroit Intern
Neumann Debbie MSHDA Community Outreach Specialist 702 W. Michigan Ave Lansing, MI 48912
Nevai Maria Global Detroit volunteer 2597 Dustin Road Okemos, MI 48864 Partner
Newman John GTRI of Michigan Community Outreach Manager
1100 North Main
Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 www.migtri.org Partner
Niebel Alicia Kyyba Inc. Executive Coordinator
28230 Orchard Lake
Rd. Suite 130 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 www.kyyba.com
Pfliegel Deborah ACCESS Senior Director 2651 Saulino Court Dearborn, MI. 48120 www.accesscommunity.org
Phillippi Karen Miller Canfield/Global Detroit
Immigration Services Business
Manager/Board President
101 N. Main Street,
7th Floor Ann Arbor, MI 48104 www.millercanfield.com
Prus Michael State of Michigan State Fidelity Bonding Coordinator
Victor Office Center,
201 N. Washington Lansing, MI 48913 www.mitalent.org/fidelity-bonding-program
Roller Joy Global Cleveland
Romero Richard Global Cleveland Committee Member 1405 west Erie Ave. Lorain Gobalcleveland.com
Rosebrook Erika Governor's Office
Associate Director, Office of Urban
Initiatives
Ruffin Jermaine R. MSHDA Community Development Specialist
735 E Michigan
Avenue Lansing, MI 48909 michigan.gov/mshda
Salerno Jeanne Catholic Charities of South East Michigan Director of Immigration Services
Sauve Christine Welcoming Michigan 2651 Saulino Court Dearborn WelcomingMichigan.org Partner
Sawher Tyler UofM School of Public Policy MPP Candidate 2014
Schutt Paul Issue Media Group Speaker
Sokoly Andrew Global Detroit 4444 Second Detroit, MI 48201 globaldetroit.com Staff
Spanos Irene Oakland County Government
Director, Economic Development &
Community Affairs www.advantageoakland.com
Stacey Francyne Butzel Long
Sukkar Suzanne Miller Canfield FACILITATOR
Sullivan, Jr. Robert E. International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit General Counsel 111 E. Kirby Detroit, MI 48202 www.iimd.org
Szurpicki Elizabeth Global Detroit 4444 Second St Detroit, MI 48201 globaldetroit.com Staff
Szurpicki Sarah Global Detroit 4444 Second St Detroit, MI 48201 globaldetroit.com Staff
Taylor Kevin IEEE PO Box 3962 Center Line www.ieee.org
Terebelo Michal Fakhoury Law Group Attorney
3290 West Big Beaver
Road, Suite 510 Troy, MI 48084 www.employmentimmigration.com
Tobocman Steve Global Detroit Director 4444 Second St Detroit, MI 48201 globaldetroit.com
Tomich Zak Governor's Office Depurty Director of Strategy 111 S. Capital Ave Lansing, MI 48909
Trentin Athena Global Talent Retention Initiative of Michigan Director
1100 N. Main Street,
Ste. 117 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 http://www.migtri.org/ Speaker
Trevino-Savala Marcelina Michigan Department of Civil Rights Attorney
Turanzas Enriqueta Global Detrot Volunteer
Turner Rafael Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce Manager, Community Outreach
519 S. Saginaw
Street, Suite 200 Flint, MI 48502 www.flintandgenesee.org
Velazquez Guadalupe New American Initiative Facilitator
Wahlrab Tom City of Dayton Facilitator
Wamester Tadd Upwardly Global Manager, Strategic Initiatives 505 8th Ave Rm 602 New York, NY 10018 www.upwardlyglobal.org
Wassel Lou Chrome Star HR Advisors
Wilkinson Sook
Global Detroit/MI Asian Pacific American Affairs
commission (MAPAAC) MAPAAC Chair www.michigan.gov/MAPAAC Partner
Wise Laura Global Lansing Speaker
Wraikat Haneern ACCESS-Growth Coordinator 6451 Maple St. Dearborn, MI. 48126 www.accesscommunity.org
Wszedybyl Iwona PACCM Polish American Chamber President 5817 Glen Eagles West Bloomfield MI 48323 www.pacmichigan.org
Yin Skyin Michigan State University Speaker
Zhou Stanley America Ally Automotive Products Corp. Speaker
Zolnowski Wojciech The International Institute www.iimd.org
Global Great Lakes Network Conference Attendees
Thursday, June 7, 2013
Appendix A
Last Name Phone Number Email Address Organization Title City, State and Zip Code Website Role
Bertolo Melissa 937-333-1422 melissa.bertolo@daytonohio.gov
City of Dayton Human
Relations Council Facilitator
Buell, Jr. Thomas 412-392-4513 tbuell@globalpittsburgh.org GlobalPittsburgh
Director, Study Pittsburgh
Initiative & Marketing Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.globalpittsburgh.
org Partner
Castrovillari Andrea andrea@globalcleveland.org Global Cleveland Cleveland, OH FACILITATOR
Cohen Betsy 314-283-7624 Ecohen@worldtradecenter-stl.com
St. Louis Immigration
& Innovation Initiative Project Director St. Louis, MO Partner
Creticos Peter 312-332-3508 creticos@workandeconomy.org
Institute for Work and
the Economy Director Chicago, IL
Dobrzycka Adriana (412) 281-8600 adrianad@vibrantpittsburgh.org Vibrant Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA Speaker
Downs-Karkos Susan 303-808-1322 susan@welcomingamerica.org Welcoming America Denver, CO Facilitator
Gallagher Ellen 617-249-3526 ellen@welcomingamerica.org Welcoming America Boston, MA Facilitator
Gonzales Peter 215-557-2843 peter@welcomingcenter.org
Welcoming Center of
New Pennsylvanians Director Philadelphia, PA Keynote Speaker
Graham Sara 517 999 9038 sara@purelansing.com
Lansing Economic
Area Partners
Director of Talent &
Communications Lansing www.purelansing.com Partner
Johnson Sarah 317.223.0933
sjohnson@immigrantwelcomecenter.or
g
Immigrant Welcome
Center (Indianapolis)
Coordinator, Welcoming
Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
Kallick David 212-721-7164 ddkallick@fiscalpolicy.org Fiscal Policy Institute New York, NY
Masters Suzette 212 300 8903 sbrooksmasters@gmail.com JM Kaplan Fund Program Director, Migration New York, NY 10016 www.jmkfund.org
McLean Patrick 419-245-1647 patrick.mclean@toledo.oh.gov City of Toledo Finance Director Toledo, OH 43604
McLellan Mary 517-241-1344 mclellanm@michigan.gov
MDCR/Global
Michigan Commissions Liaison Lansing MI 48933
http://michigan.gov/m
dcr Partner
Roller Joy joy@globalcleveland.org Global Cleveland Director Cleveland, OH
Szurpicki Sarah 313.920.2143 sarah.szurpicki@gmail.com Global Detroit Detroit, MI 48201 globaldetroit.com Staff
Tobocman Steve 313.516.9681 steve.tobocman@gmail.com Global Detroit Director Detroit, MI 48201 globaldetroit.com
Tomich Zak 517.241.5493 tomichz@michigan.gov Governor's Office Depurty Director of Strategy Lansing, MI 48909
Velazquez Guadalupe 614-645-1993 GAVelasquez@columbus.gov
New American
Initiative, City of Columbus, OH Facilitator
Wahlrab Tom 937-475-2643 twahlrab@gmail.com City of Dayton Facilitator Dayton, OH
Morris Downs Terri tdowns@immigrantwelcomecenter.org
Immigrant Welcome
Center (Indianapolis) Director Indianapolis, IN
Herman Richard richard.t.herman@gmail.com Herman Law Group Immigration Lawyer Cleveland, OH
Ford Britany 419-213-4084 bford@co.lucas.oh.us
Lucas County - City of
Toledo Staff to County Commisioner Toledo, OH
Global Great Lakes Network Work Session Attendees
Friday, June 8, 2013
Appendix B
MEDIA CLIPS
National Stories on Rust Belt
Cities Immigrant Economic
Development Efforts
(Global Detroit Peers)
MEDIA CLIPS
Global Great Lakes Network
Convening
1

Global Great Lakes Proposal


2013 represents an historic moment for immigration in the United States. After three decades of
robust immigration growth that has raised the number of immigrants from 14.1 million in 1980 to
nearly 40 million in 2010, the U.S. Congress appears poised to pass some form of immigration
reform. While the factors that have influenced Washingtons apparent willingness to tackle this
issue are complex, the nature of recent immigration to the Midwest and the Midwests reaction
to the economic recession may represent a significant part of the equationboth in building
momentum for reform and in the nature of the reform that might be adopted.

Over the past few decades, the robust growth in U.S. immigration has shaped new gateways for
immigrants and touched communities that have traditionally been a layer removed from
immigration, including metropolitan and rural areas of the Midwest. Growth in immigration in the
last decade was spread out through dozens of metro areas, as opposed to being as
concentrated in just a handful of traditional gateway cities.
1
More immigrants in metropolitan
areas now live in suburbs rather in cities.
2
Coupled with the parallel phenomena of continued
population loss, brain drain, and economic slowdown in the Midwests major cities, the impact
of these new migration patterns has made immigration a fact of life and a policy topic for
communities that have not experienced significant international immigration in over a century.

Midwestern Cities and the Need to Become Global

Although the cities around the Great Lakes vary along a broad spectrum of economic
redevelopment, they all share a legacy of heavy industry and a similar set of problems resulting
from industrys decline. The cities of this region have lost up to 50 percent of their population;
their educational attainment rates are dismal; their unemployment rates are dangerously high. If
these cities take advantage of the regions unique opportunities and creatively transition from
sole reliance on heavy industry, the shared future of this region can be prosperousits
revitalization can be emblematic of the very entrepreneurism that catapulted this constellation of
cities to become a global economic superpower at the peak of the industrial revolution.

Right now, one of the regions unique opportunities is its population of immigrants and its
capacity to attract more immigrants to contribute to the revitalization of its cities. This reality has
been increasingly understood and acknowledged by an exciting and organic reaction among
Midwest metropolitan leaders, who have begun to embrace immigration as an economic
opportunity, rather than a threat. Over the past four years, new initiatives to promote
immigration as an economic development opportunity have produced Global Detroit, Vibrant
Pittsburgh, Global Cleveland, Welcome Dayton, Global Michigan, and Global Lansing. Similar

1
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-*,.)./.)'*0 1#*.#& '* 2&34* 4*5 6#.&'7'8).4* 9'8):;, CcLober 13, 2011.
2
Audrey Slnger, 1he 8lse of new lmmlgranL CaLeways," !"# %&''()*+, -*,.)./.)'*0 1#*.#& '* 2&34* 4*5
6#.&'7'8).4* 9'8):;, lebruary 2004.
2

programs or consortia are emerging in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. None of these
efforts existed before 2009.

These Global metropolitan initiatives (or in one case, a statewide effort) couple Midwestern
sensibility and pragmatism with the need to address the regions unique problems to create an
unlikely approach to the controversial issue of immigrationone that differs significantly from
the discourse around the rest of the U.S. The initiatives recognize that the Midwest is a rapidly
aging region with stagnant population growth but incredible historical assets. The regions
strong agriculture, struggling manufacturing sector, world-leading research universities, and
economic transition into the new economy are all benefitted by robust immigration.
3


Specifically, research over the last half decade has documented the important contributions
American immigrants have made to the growth of the economy and the United States
leadership in the new economy. Immigrants are responsible for approximately one-quarter of all
of the high-tech startups, and nearly half of the high-tech startups in Silicon Valley.
4
More than
40 percent of the 2010 Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children
and seven of the ten most valuable brands in the world come from American companies
founded by immigrants or their children.
5
These contributions extend beyond the high-tech, new
economy and Fortune 500 firms. Immigrants start small businesses at more than twice the rate
of native born Americans
6
a critical fact for many struggling cities with significant retail needs
in disinvested, low-income communities.

While each effort builds on the unique assets and challenges of its particular locality, they all
share a refreshing notion that immigration is a powerful economic driver and would greatly
strengthen their particular regional economy. Many focus on skilled and highly-educated
immigrants, but several explicitly target and support working-class immigrants. Most build upon
their Midwestern cultural roots and include an element of welcoming. Some enjoy support from
elected officials (even one Republican governor). Some seek to change the regional culture of
native-born Americans; others seek to connect with, attract, and retain immigrants. Some
stress traditional immigrant integration services (e.g., ESL, citizenship, legal services, etc.). And
all have a desire to grow and learn from each other.

!"#$"%#& () *%+&#,- ./%-%0-%"#,
Below is a description of nine Midwest initiatives, each of which is less than four years old.
These initiatives represent an innovative approach to immigration. They are focused on
economic developmentcreating jobs and economic activityand do not engage in civil rights
or social justice advocacy. They look at the immigrant communities in their region as assets to

3
AusLln, !ohn and 8rlLLany AffolLer-Calne. 1he vlLal CenLer : A lederal-SLaLe CompacL Lo 8enew Lhe CreaL Lakes
8eglon". !"# %&''()*+, -*,.)./.)'*0 1#*.#& '* 2&34* 4*5 6#.&'7'8).4* 9'8):;< 2006.
4
Wadhwa, vlvek, AnnaLee Saxenlan, 8en 8lsslng, and Cary Cereffl Amerlca's new lmmlgranL LnLrepreneurs"
uuke unlverslLy and unlverslLy of Callfornla-8erkeley, !anuary 4, 2007.
3
arLnershlp for a new Amerlcan Lconomy, 1he 'new Amerlcan' lorLune 300," !une 2011.
6
kroll, Lulsa, lmmlgranL LnLrepreneurshlp Pas SLagnaLed lor llrsL 1lme ln uecades, Says new SLudy," lorbes,
CcLober 2, 2012.
3

be nurtured and grown as a means of producing economic opportunity for the entire region.
The initiatives seek to make their regions more appealing to immigrants by improving the quality
of life and economic opportunities that exist in the region for immigrants. But the also seek to
ensure that immigrant talent, foreign investment and trade, and immigrant communities benefit
the regional economy and the non-immigrants communities.

Each initiative has a unique story to its creation, its core activities, and its focus. Yet, the nine
initiatives share many commonalities that speak to a newly developing approach:

Many were created by a local chamber of commerce, business group, economic
development organization, or group of business leaders that historically has had
no or little engagement with the immigration issue. Some were developed by or with
cultural organizations or immigrant social service providers who have a long
engagement with immigrants, but who were looking for a new approach to serving them
or improving the regions diversity.

Most of these initiatives began with a study of immigrants economic impact on
the region and/or a formal planning process. The studies document that in these
Rust Belt metropolitan areas, immigrants provide enormous net positive benefits.
Immigrants are often more highly-educated and more likely to have the science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills that employers need.
Immigrants have higher entrepreneurship rates, which is important in Midwestern
economies that tend to lag in this area. Finally, immigrants tend to be younger and offer
the possibility of population growth to a region of the country that is rapidly aging and
experiencing population stagnationor loss, in the case of many of the cities.

The initiatives embrace a wide range of partners. As noted, many work with the local
chamber of commerce, local economic development organization (or new economy tech
incubator), and/or key local business leaders. Some enjoy strong civic support. Others
have strong university partnerships. Some work with the traditional nonprofit
immigration and integration services network. Most enjoy some support in the local
philanthropic community. In general, the broader the networks of supporters for the
initiative, the stronger, more creative, and more robust the local initiative is.

The activities of each local initiative differ enough that comparisons among them and their
outcomes should be instructive.

They approach talent attraction and welcoming differently. Several have a
component of talent attraction workseeking to engage or recruit international talent to
a regions employment base. Activities can range from monthly cocktail events in the
downtown area, to recruitment events targeting international students at local
universities, to simply having a welcoming center for them to visit. Three of the
initiatives have an affiliation with Welcoming America, a national effort focusing on
making communities more welcoming by bringing together immigrants and longer-term
4

community members to develop greater understanding and work towards shared
prosperity.

Four of the programs include an element of traditional immigrant and refugee
integration services, though each seeks to bring new efficiencies to this work.
Some serve as a referral agency to direct immigrants and refugees to existing providers.
Others have developed a first-ever searchable online database (so-called welcome
mat) of local providers for immigrants and refugees and those servicing them to access.
Some seek to identify and resolve gaps in the integration service offerings of the region,
as well as build capacity of the service provider organizations. Finally, some seek to
offer targeted services that either assist immigrants and refugee entrepreneurs or seek
to address the challenges faced by skilled and professional immigrants and refugees.

There are other unique program offerings among the initiatives, but each shares the vision of
growing the local economy through a more robust immigrant community and more integrated
and welcoming reception by that community. Each initiative contains at least some element of
communicating to the general public on the benefits that immigrants and refugees bring to the
region. More specifically, the nine initiatives include:

Global Detroit Initiated by the Global Detroit report released in May 2010, Global Detroit is an
effort to revitalize southeast Michigans economy by pursuing strategies that make Detroit and
the surrounding region more attractive to immigrants, internationals, foreign trade, and
investment as a means to produce jobs and regional economic growth. As of April 2012, nearly
$5 million in philanthropic funding has been raised to launch and sustain the innovative
initiatives identified in the Global Detroit study. These initiatives include international student
retention, the Welcoming Michigan campaign, the ProsperUS microenterprise training and
lending program, and the Welcome Mat network of traditional immigration and social service
providers.

Global Cleveland With support from Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and the regions
medical and biotechnology communities, Global Cleveland was launched in 2011 to foster
regional economic development through actively attracting newcomers to the greater Cleveland
area and connecting them to economic and socially opportunities. Global Cleveland aims to
ease the immigration process by working as a point of contact with recent immigrants. They
offer a pilot program providing credentialing services to immigrants who worked as healthcare
professionals in their home country.

Welcome Dayton Forged from community conversations in 2011, the Welcome Dayton Plan
has attracted considerable national attention and press. It has been endorsed by the City
Manager, City Commission, and corporate community and provides recommendations to
engage immigrants in neighborhood revitalization, population growth, and economic
strengthening. Welcome Dayton works in four focus areas--business and economic
development; government and justice system; social and health services; and community,
culture, arts, and education. Examples of achievements to date include creating new affordable
3

housing units targeted at immigrants and refugees, opening Welcoming Centers within the
schools that offer individualized tutoring and outreach to immigrant families, and hosting a
global soccer tournament.

Vibrant Pittsburgh In 2011, Vibrant Pittsburgh grew out of earlier efforts for the Welcoming
Center for Immigrants and Internationals. Vibrant Pittsburgh strives to revitalize the regional
economy by increasing the diversity and expanding the talent pool of its workforce. VPs
programs welcome newcomers, cultivate inclusivity, and energize the region by attracting and
retaining outside talent. Fostering partnerships with employers, local government, advocacy
networks, universities, workforce development organizations, and the general public, Vibrant
Pittsburgh broadly tackles the cultural and infrastructural changes necessary for the Pittsburgh
region to tap into the potential of an inclusive economy.

Global Michigan As part of Michigan Governor Rick Snyders effort to make Michigan the
most pro-immigration state in the country, Global Michigan is a collaboration between the
Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and
private sector volunteers to develop new ways of attracting and retaining highly educated
immigrants to the state. Global Michigan is focused on five key strategies: (1) international
student retention; (2) a cultural ambassadors program to welcome international business
visitors, students, and investment; (3) assisting in the licensing and credentialing of skilled
immigrants and refugees; (4) building a robust EB-5 investor visa environment; (5) welcoming
and public policy initiatives that make Michigan the most pro-immigration state in the nation.

Global Lansing In partnership with the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, Michigan State
University, and the Lansing Visitors and Convention Bureau, Global Lansing is one of the first
regionally targeted strategies assisted by Global Michigan to launch. In an effort to tap into
Michigan State Universitys large number of international students, Global Lansing has
developed strategies to better leverage their unique assets within the community. These include
easing immigrants transition to their new home by connecting international students to local
shopping and transportation, pairing international students to local internships, as well as
developing business opportunities by assisting with foreign business investment in local
businesses.

Immigrant Welcome Center of Indianapolis The Welcome Center helps immigrants
integrate into the economy by connecting them with service providers. Through grassroots and
neighborhood-based programming, the Centers work addresses social, cultural and civic issues
to allow immigrants to fully participate in their communities and allows their communities to fully
benefit from immigrant talent. In recent months, the Immigrant Welcome Center of Indianapolis
has begun to strategize about how it could create an economic development initiative modeled
upon the work in Detroit, Dayton, and Cleveland that would embrace immigration as a job
creation and economic growth opportunity.

Global St. Louis This past spring, researchers at St. Louis University completed a study
entitled How Can We Create Growth in St. Louis? The Economic Impact of Immigration on our
6

Region. The study was publicly released at a conference entitled How New Citizens Spur
Economic Growth. The conference, presented by the St. Louis County Economic Council and the
St. Louis Development Corporation, drew corporate and political leaders as well as entrepreneurs,
immigrants and concerned citizens interested in the ongoing dialogue about immigration. Shortly
after the conference, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and County Executive Charlie Dooley used
the study results to form a 15-member commission with one task, attracting more immigrants to
St. Louis.






Need and Desire for Collaboration and Construction of a Network

The initiatives described above are hungry to exchange ideas, research, and best practices.
The potential benefits of building such a network include: (1) increased efficacy of the
participating existing initiatives; (2) capacity-building support for nascent efforts in other post-
industrial cities; (3) potential development of network-wide tools, resources, and/or research to
support local, regional, and national change; and (4) amplification of the needs and
opportunities of Midwestern cities to inform the policy conversation on a regional and national
level.

There is significant need for capacity-building, especially given the fact that many of the
initiatives at issue involve some combination of players that are new to this field, unlikely and
non-traditional partnerships, and new approaches to what can still be considered an emerging
issue. Developing a network among these regional economic development initiatives would go
a long way towards ensuring that each regional effort maximizes its impact and success. A
Global Great Lakes network would greatly facilitate peer learning as these initiatives tackle the
7

development and implementation of new programs in the areas of retaining international
students, integrating skilled and professional immigrants, building welcoming communities,
developing regional collaboration among integration service providers, and other areas of
shared work. The network can facilitate peer-to-peer learning, information sharing, and access
to national expertise.

And while the existing efforts that have been described above are great initial nodes for this
network, the networks growth would include outreach to communities that dont have a
publicized effort yet or are in the initial stages of contemplating developing such an initiative.
The networks resources and convenings could be available to a broad array of participants and
users, including the hypothetical economic development organization in Buffalo interested in
developing a Buffalo-specific immigrant entrepreneur support program, or a Milwaukee city
council member who wants to better connect immigrant integration and leadership programs.
While national efforts include opportunities for these curious individuals to engage around
building a global initiative, they lack the detailed focus on Great Lakes city problems and Great
Lakes city opportunities that can be so ably addressed by a globalizing effort.

A Global Great Lakes network of immigrant economic development efforts also might develop
its own expertise. It might facilitate developing web tools (e.g., the welcome mat searchable
database of immigration service providers), marketing campaigns, and other tools that could be
used by several individual initiatives. In fact, many of the individual efforts already rely upon
some of the same research to illuminate the contributions of immigrants within Midwest
metropolitan economies. A network could identify common objectives or challenges and enable
several programs to collectively develop shared solutions.

Further, the network could help identify national research to help build the local case for a more
welcoming immigrant economic development strategy in these areas. It also could develop a
menu of potential program areas to build local capacity, as well as models of potential
partnerships by which local programs can be created (e.g., how to bring in corporate, municipal,
academic, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors into a regional effort). The network might provide
actual on-the-ground consulting to assist local efforts develop their programs.

While each of the existing regional efforts identified above have revolutionized the
conversations in their region about immigration and brought new supporters from the business
and economic development communities to advocate for a more robust immigration system,
there is much for each of these programs still to do. Many of these efforts are still in
development and planning or are busy in the initial stages of implementing the plan they
designed. While they may have operated previously within an existing organization, none of the
initiatives had a full-time staff person before 2011. They all have expressed an eagerness to
learn more about the initiatives and programs offered in other cities.

While none of the initiatives included herein approach their work from the perspective of civil
rights or social justice advocacy, they do have the potential to be strong voices for immigration
reform and for immigrant-friendly policy change. This advocacy is driven entirely by the goal of
8

revitalizing American communities in ways that provide as much benefit to native-born
Americans as to the immigrants the programs might support. While such a pro-immigration
perspective focusing on the economic benefits of a robust immigration system exists within
traditional immigrant rights circles, it can benefit greatly when championed by these Midwest
metropolitan economic development programs. The view that immigrants take jobs, drain public
benefits programs, and cause crime still largely dominates the national conversation and the
human rights advocacy of religious and civil rights organizations struggles to offer a strong
counterbalance. A network of highly effective global efforts from the Great Lakes region has the
power, if working collaboratively, to reframe the debate at the national level. No single
metropolitan effort can do that alone.

There already has been significant but ad-hoc interaction, collaboration, and learning
among these individual efforts. The architects of Global Detroit and Global Cleveland visited
each other, exchanged documents, and held phone calls on numerous occasions. In fact,
Global Detroit has visited and hosted each of these programs, with the exception of St. Louis.
The initiatives have met each other at the National Immigration Integration Conferences in
Boston, Seattle, and Baltimore. In each of these interactions there is an expressed and
palpable desire to work more collaboratively, to learn from each other, and to build a region and
nation that reaps economic prosperity from robust immigration.

Planning an Initial Network Convening

The first step in building this Midwest network would be to host a convening of 8-10 Midwest
initiatives, and potentially other nascent efforts, to all participate in the cogeneration of a plan for
a network. By engaging existing efforts in the creation of the network itself, the network can be
most responsive to the real needs and vision of the member organizations it will exist to serve.
This proposal also allows the network members then to develop roles within the network that
best meet their own capacities and goals.

The outcomes of this convening will include:

1. The development of deeper relationships among the participating efforts;
2. Sharing of information and best practices by each participating initiative; and
3. A workplan summarizing the proposed structure and activities of the network, if any, to
use for further development and funding.

The initial convening would last between one to three days and be structured so that each
initiative could determine how best to invest in attending. The likely agenda would include
ample opportunities for initiatives to learn from each other by highlighting different regions
efforts on specific initiatives (welcoming, integration services, international student retention,
corporate engagement, political leadership, etc.), an in-depth look at the efforts in the host city
9

(including guest speakers, neighborhood tours, etc.), and finally, facilitated discussions
regarding building a collaborative learning network.
7


During the portion of the conference focusing on how best to collaborate, build a network, and
learn from each other, the group likely would discuss how best to sustain these partnerships into
the future:

1. Conferences and Events;
2. Webinars on Specific Topics;
3. Peer-to-Peer Learning Opportunities, including Site Visits;
4. Mini Planning Grants to Assist other Cities Seeking to Develop Initiatives;
5. Metrics to Assist in Measuring Impact;
6. Development of a Listserve, Potential Web Content, and Other Social Media;
7. Local Events; and
8. Other Opportunities to Collaborate and Learn from Each Other

Through this convening, pre-planning work, and follow-up work, a Global Great Lakes network
work plan and proposal will be developed. This will set the stages for a more significant
investment into such a network.

Lead Partners

Welcoming America and New Solutions Group, LLC have offered to partner to lead this initial
convening and development of a Global Great Lakes network work plan.

New Solutions Group

New Solutions Group, LLC is a for-profit consulting firm managed by Steve Tobocman, a former
nonprofit director and state legislator. The firm has spearheaded the Global Detroit planning
and implementation process since 2009. New Solutions is dedicated to bringing a smart,
innovative, and collaborative approach to clients whose missions benefit the public good. It has
engaged in a variety of strategic planning, advocacy, and policy research projects for a range of
clients in Detroit and across Michigan.

New Solutions has experience with planning numerous events, including a one-day 1,000
person, public conference on immigrants and Michigans economic future. Under New
Solutions leadership, Global Detroit has helped raise nearly $5 million of philanthropic
investment; developed leading programs in welcoming, international student retention,
integration services, and microenterprise development; and has fostered the only statewide
initiative supporting immigration as an economic development tool.


7
lL ls proposed LhaL ueLrolL be Lhe slLe for Lhe flrsL convenlng, noL only because of lLs cenLral geographlc locaLlon,
buL because of Lhe slze and number of lnlLlaLlves connecLed Lo lL, as well as lLs relaLlonshlp wlLh Clobal Mlchlgan,
Lhe only sLaLewlde program.
10

Based upon its experience designing and building Global Detroit, as well as its work in
connecting Global Michigan to regional economic development initiatives across Michigan, New
Solutions is aware of how critical learning from other cities and regions is in a field as new and
emerging as the field of developing regional economic development plans focused on
immigration as a key driver. Moreover, the firm has established relationships with all of the
Midwest regional initiatives mentioned in this proposal.

Welcoming America

Welcoming America is a national, nonprofit organization that provides support, training and
capacity building assistance to a growing network of communities and organizations across the
country that are working to build mutual respect and cooperation between foreign-born and
U.S.-born Americans. The ultimate goal of Welcoming Americas work is to promote a
welcoming atmosphere community by community in which immigrants are more likely to
integrate into the social fabric of their adopted hometowns.

Welcoming America has its origins in the award-winning Welcoming Tennessee initiative, an
effort that successfully helped to transform a hostile anti-immigrant climate in Tennessee, and
was the subject of the 2011 PBS documentary, Welcome to Shelbyville. The film, viewed by
over one million Americans, highlighted the grassroots community engagement work led by the
initiative in a rural town grappling with a growing refugee Somali community. The ground-
breaking work of Welcoming Tennessee was the first effort of its kind to reach out to everyday
Americans and address their fears and concerns in the face of rapid demographic change.
The success of the work in Tennessee has since inspired numerous other initiatives to take
shape, with the support of Welcoming America. Today, Welcoming Americas National Desk
supports grassroots welcoming initiatives in 20 states, and provides training and assistance to
other organizations throughout the country through its Receiving Communities Initiative.
Welcoming America has developed an innovative, adaptive model for receiving community
engagement that is supported through a host of tools and resources. Its methodology includes
webinars, learning circles, in-person group training, individual and peer coaching and
convenings to help strengthen practice. Welcoming Americas innovative approach has been
recognized by the White House and with the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship and the Draper
Richards Kaplan Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship. Welcoming America is a recognized
thought leader in strategies for engaging the receiving community, and currently coordinates the
Receiving Communities Track of the National Immigrant Integration Conference.
Most recently, Welcoming America launched the Welcoming Cities effort
(www.welcomingcities,org), focusing on helping municipal governments adopt policies and
practices that promote a welcoming environment and economic competitiveness. Many of the
cities outlined in this proposal connect to Welcoming America nationally in some way, but they
would also benefit from a regional focus. Welcoming America is interested in piloting regional
collaborations, beyond its current city or statewide foci, and believes this proposal is an ideal
opportunity. In addition, having access to the national cohort of welcoming cities members will
11

greatly benefit the members of the Great Lakes initiative, as they are able to share experiences
and successes back and forth.
Impact and Value

The past three decades have witnessed historic immigration to the United States. The worlds
nations are more connected and interrelated than at any time in human history. Not just
technologically and by news and information, but economically and by the exchange and flow of
people. America has prospered for the last three centuries because of its ability to attract
industrious, skilled, innovative, and diverse people from across the globe andwhile far from
perfect or idealhas done well at integrating these newcomers into the economy. American
prosperity in the 21
st
Century depends, in part, on its ability to continue to lead as a destination
for the worlds talent seeking economic opportunity.

Rust Belt economies in the Midwest have begun to react to Americas latest immigration wave.
Organically, regional economic leaders in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Dayton, the state of
Michigan, Lansing, Indianapolis, and St. Louis have set forth to capitalize on immigration and to
develop economic strategies that welcome immigrants to these communitieseach of whom
have faced challenging economic conditions from global market forces over the last decade.
These individual initiatives are just emerging and see themselves, not only as uniquely local, but
as part of a larger Midwestern, Rust Belt, or even national movement to embrace immigration as
a source of economic strength, rather than as an economic threat. If successful, these efforts
will help accelerate the return of prosperity to tens of millions of Americans, including positive
impacts in numerous distressed urban neighborhoods.

These initiatives not only focus on how immigration can positively impact the economics of host
communities, they represent a unique opportunity for immigrants, refugees, and immigrant
rights advocates. They are a new and critical component of shifting public attitudes about
immigration from one of fear and opposition, to one of understanding and encouragement.
Although these efforts do not directly focus on the immigration policy debates, they make a
profound case for federal, state, and local laws that welcome immigrants, not drive them away
or make it infeasible for communities to tap into their economic contributions.

These immigration economic development efforts have much to offer immigrants and refugees
in terms of tangibly improving their quality of life. In fact, many of the initiatives have embraced
enhancing traditional integration services (ESL, citizenship programs, legal services, job
training, etc.) as a means of being more welcoming. Each has brought new energy and
innovation to traditional integration services, approaching the work from an asset-based
perspectiveviewing immigrants and refugees as opportunities, rather than as helpless victims.
They have developed innovative programs, such as so-called welcome mats that guide
immigrants and refugees to needed services, as well as focused on building the capacity of the
entire integration services field.

12

As the United States appears more likely to pass some form of federal immigration reform, the
impact and importance of these efforts will be magnified. If the struggling Rust Belt and urban
economies of the Great Lakes region are able to develop effective economic integration
strategies, these communities will be poised to benefit from a more robust federal immigration
system. Additionally, the implementation of integration programs to implement any federal
reform would have the opportunity to be coordinated with efforts that are focused on the
economic and integration opportunities, instead of focused solely on the legal machinations of
the program or some other perspective.

The organic emergence of somewhat revolutionary immigration economic development
programs in more than a half dozen Midwest metropolitan areas in four short years represents
an historic moment. It is our hope that through collaboration, shared learning, and building a
network, we can fully capitalize on this opportunity.
Appendix F

Global Great Lakes Convening: June 6-7, 2013
Pre-Convening Participant Survey

Please provide the following information about your organization.
[Name contact, address, phone number, email etc.]

About your organization:
What is your organizations mission?
What are the geographic boundaries your organization targets?
Please, identify which categorization applies to your organization. Check all that apply. (multiple choice)
o 501 (c) 3 Nonprofit
o Nonprofit with another status
o For Profit
o Membership-Based
o Government
o Other (please specify)
What is your organizations primary area of focus? Check all that apply. (multiple choice)
o Economic Development
o Civic
o Culture
o Business
o Education
o Faith-Based
o Human Service
o Foundation
o Government
o Other (please specify)
What are your core programs and services?
How many individuals do your programs serve?
Describe your most successful/promising initiatives/efforts
How many staff people do you have?
What is your annual budget? (Please include salaries and portions of other staff time who work on your
program.)
What percentage of your funds are raised from:
o Foundations
o Government Sources
o Corporate Support/Grants
o Individuals
o Fee for Service Revenues
o Other
Are you formally or affiliated with any other organizations? If so, please describe.
Do you have a board of directors? (If so, please describe number, how selected, and interests
represented)
Where are you located (please list all office locations and service points)?
o Do you have ! (matrix of choices: yes, no, under development)website
o Periodic Newsletter?
o Rack Card (short brochure)?
o Brochure?
o Annual Report?
o Other materials (please list)?
Do you have an active social media presence?
o Facebook?
o Twitter?
o LinkedIn?
o Blog?
o E-Newsletter?
o Other?

Convening:
Briefly introduce your organization. (100 words or less)
List top 5 areas about which you would like to learn during the June convening (multiple choice):
o Welcome programs that build meaningful connections between newcomers and long-term
residents
o Innovative approaches to traditional immigration integration services (e.g., serving as a network,
referral, or guide to ESL, citizenship, immigration legal, and other services)
o Entrepreneurship programs
o Workforce development
o Skilled immigrant integration
o International student retention
o Attracting foreign investment and trade (e.g., EB-5, greeting business delegations, etc.)
o Municipal services to serve immigrant groups (e.g., policing policies, multilingual language
access to city services, etc.)
o Create comprehensive community plans to encourage immigration
o Strategies to engage and work with immigrants and refugees to revitalize urban neighborhoods
o Programs to attract international talent (includes international students, immigrants and other
internationals)
o Programs to retain immigrants and internationals
o Organizational capacity-building
o Developing political will/leadership
o Changing community perceptions
o Corporate engagement
o Fund development and fundraising strategies that work
o Partnering with ethnic media
o Working with ethnic chambers of commerce
o Mobilizing volunteers
o Innovative social media strategies
o Other (please specify)
List your organizations areas of strength that you would be able to share at the convening? (e.g., what
area(s) could you lead a panel discussion on concerning best practices, expertise, tools, programs
etc.). Please list 3. [multiple one line text boxes]
List the top 3 panel discussion topics at the convening would you most like to hear. [multiple one line
text boxes]
How many representatives from your organizations do you expect will be in attendance at the June
convening? Will other representatives from your city be in attendance? If so, how many and from which
organizations?
If we were to create a network, what would be some of the networks activities? Check all that apply.
(multiple choice)
o Conference and events
o Webinars on specific topics
o Joint fundraising opportunities
o Peer-to-peer learning opportunities, including site visits
o Mini planning grants to assist other cities seeking to develop initiatives
o Providing technical assistance and coaching to regional programs that are seeking to launch
o Metrics to assist on measuring impact
o Development of joint web/social media presence
o Development of joint technological assets to support work (e.g., online searchable database of
regional immigration service providers)
o Local events
o Joint advocacy initiatives
Please share any additional ideas for joint initiatives that the network could undertake collaboratively.
(essay box).
Additional ideas, thoughts, or comments? Please share them here! [essay box]