85 House and 44 Senate Districts: Economic Contributions of Immigrants 2006-2030

Long Term Economic Contribution of Immigrants in 85 House and 44 Senate Districts

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD

corrie@csp.edu

The importance of a long term perspective on immigrants is underscored in the data below that shows the growth of Asian and Latino buying power from 2006 to 2030 in 85 House and 44 Senate districts of the Minnesota Legislature. In all cases the growth of Asian and Latino buying power is greater than the GDP of countries in the world. Research has well established that in the long run immigrants yield a net benefit to society. Minnesota's challenge is to view immigrant policy with a long term perspective. Legislators in the following districts could take the lead in developing a long term comprehensive immigrant policy in Minnesota.

Hennepin County 2006-2030

House District: 19B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 34 B, 40B, 41A, 41B, 42A, 42B, 43A, 43B, 44A, 44B, 45A, 45B, 46A, 46B, 47A, 47B, 54A, 58A, 58B, 59A, 59B, 60A, 60B, 61A, 61B, 62A, 62B, 63A, 63B, Senate District: 19, 32, 33,34, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 54, 58, 59, 60, 61 62,63

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

$ 2.3 billion to $4.3 billion

Greater than the GDP of 55 countries in the world

Ramsey County 2006-2030

House District 50 A 50 B, 51 B, 53 A, 53B, 54 A, 54B, 55A, 55B, 64 A, 64B, 65 A, 65B, 66A, 66B, 67A, 67B Senate District 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 64, 65, 66, 67

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

1.1 billion dollars to 1.9 billion dollars

Greater than the GDP of 38 countries in the world

Dakota County 2006-2030

House District 36A, 36B, 37A, 37B, 38A, 38B, 39A, 39B,40A,57A,57B Senate District 36,37,38,39,40,57

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

600 million dollars to 1.1 billion dollars

Greater than the GDP of 30 countries in the world

Rice County 2006-2030

House District 25 B 26 B Senate District 25, 26

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

60 million dollars to 125 million dollars

Greater than the GDP of 4 countries in the world

Scott County 2006-2030

House District 25 A, 25B, 34A, 35A, 35B, 40A Senate District 25, 34, 35, 40

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

135 million dollars to 444 million dollars

Greater than the GDP of 16 countries in the world

Olmsted County 2006-2030

House District 29A, 29B, 30A, 30B Senate District 29, 30

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

212 million dollars to 372 million dollars

Greater than the GDP of 12 countries in the world

Anoka County 2006-2030

House District 17A, 47A, 47B, 48A, 48B, 49A, 49B,50A,50B,51A,51B, 52A, 53A Senate District 17, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

262 million dollars to 484 million dollars

Greater than the GDP of 17 countries in the world

Washington County 2006-2030

House District 52A, 52B, 55B,56A, 56B, 57A, 57B Senate District 52, 55, 56, 57

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

282 million dollars to 656 million dollars

Greater than the GDP of 18 countries in the world

Nobles County 2006-2030

House District 22 A 22 B Senate District 22

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

40 million dollars to 85 million dollars

Greater than the GDP of 2 countries in the world

Kandiyohi County 2006-2030

House District 13 A 13 B Senate District 13

Asian/Latino Buying Power is estimated to increase from

45 million dollars, to 84 million dollars.

Greater than the GDP of 2 countries in the world

Undocumented Workers in US Workforce, 2005

Pew Hispanic Center Estimates, 2005 Percent of Workforce: 4.9 percent Insulation workers 36% Miscellaneous agricultural workers 29% Roofers 29% Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers 28% Helpers, construction trades 27% Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish processing workers 27% Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials 26% Grounds maintenance workers 25% Construction laborers 25% Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons 25% Dishwashers 23% Helpers--production workers 23% Maids and housekeeping cleaners 22% Graders and sorters of agricultural products 22% Painters, construction and maintenance 22% Cement masons, concrete finishers, and terrazzo workers 21% Computer hardware engineers 20% Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders 20% Packers and packagers, hand 20% Cleaners of vehicles and equipment 20% Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers 20% Cooks 20% Parking lot attendants 19% Upholsterers 18% Sewing machine operators 18% Food preparation workers 17% Laundry and dry-cleaning workers 15% “Analysis of the March 2005 Current Population Survey shows that there were 11.1 million unauthorized in the United States a year ago. Based on analysis of other data sources that offer indications of the pace of growth in the foreign-born population, the Center developed an estimate of 11.5 to 12 million for the unauthorized population as of March 2006.” http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/61.pdf Source: Pew Hispanic Center tabulations of augmented March 2005 Current Population Survey, adjusted for omissions. Occupations shown have at least 50,000 workers and unauthorized share at least three times the national share (4.9%)

Firms in 122 MN Cities Applied for H1 B visas

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Firms in 122 Minnesota cities applied for H1 B visas in 2005. These include metro, suburban and rural cities. Minnesota applications were the highest in the Midwest (WI, IA, NE, SD, ND). MN ranked 17 in the nation in H1 B visa applications. The data indicates that Minnesota is increasingly a global economy. Following is a list of cities: Albert Lea, Alexandria, Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley, Arden Hills, Austin, Avon, Bagley, Bayport, Belle Plain, Bemidji, Big Lake, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Byron, Caledonia, Canby, Center City, Champlin, Chanhassen, Chaska, Cokato, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Deephaven, Delano, Dodge Center, Duluth, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Elk River, Ely, Fairmont, Faribault, Farmington, Fergus Falls, Frazee, Fridley, Gaylord, Glenwood, Golden Valley, Grand Rapids Hallock Ham Lake Hastings Hopkins, Hutchinson, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, LeSueur, Lewiston, Little Canada, Mankato, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Marshall, McGregor, Mendota Heights, Milaca, Minneapolis, Montevideo, New Hope, Montgomery, Moorhead, Morris, Mountain Lake , New Brighton, North Mankato, Northfield, Oakdale, Olivia, Onamia, Owatonna, Park Rapids, Perham, Pine City, Pipestone, Plymouth, Princeton, Prior Lake, Ramsey, Red Lake, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Rochester, Roseau, Rosemount, Roseville, Saint Paul, Savage, Shakopee, Shoreview, Slayton, Sleepy Eye, Spring Park, St. James, St Louis Park, St. Anthony, St. Cloud, St. Paul Park, St. Peter, Stillwater, Thief River Falls, Tofte, Two Harbors, Vadnais Heights, Virginia, Waite Park, Warren, Warroad, Waseca, Wayzata, White Bear Lake, Willmar, Winona, Woodbury, Wyoming,

WHAT 8 LEGISLATORS NEED TO LNOW ABOUT IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS

WHAT 8 LEGISLATORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS? DATA FOR DECISION MAKERS SERIES Bruce P. Corrie, PhD Professor of Economics Concordia University corrie@csp.edu Eight legislators are cosponsors of HF 2576 which aims to remove the “sanctuary laws” currently in force in Minneapolis and Minnesota. Before they force Minneapolis and Saint Paul to change the “sanctuary” laws in the Twin Cities, they need to consider the following: Asian and Latinos make up most of the new immigrant population of Minnesota and play a critical role in the regional economies of the 8 House districts as consumers, firms, and workers. Key questions then:

• Have the legislators consulted with them about the proposed legislation?
• Do the top educational institutions in their districts such as Carlton College, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University and Saint Cloud State University, support the proposed legislation?
• Do the regional chambers of commerce support the proposed legislation?

Local analysts (Luz Frias, Mayor Coleman’s office) have demonstrated that the intent of the proposed legislation is already covered under current laws. Below is a brief profile of the immigrant economy in their districts. For more details please send an email to corrie@csp.edu. Hennepin County ( Smith 33A and Johnson, J. 43A)

• Buying power of Asians and Latinos in Hennepin county is estimated to grow from 2.3 billion dollars in 2006 to 4.3 billion in 2030 – greater than the GDP of 50 countries in the world.

• According to the Economic Census, in 1997 in Hennepin County there were 3216 Asian and Latino firms with sales close to a billion dollars employing over 7000 people.
• According to the 2004 American Community Survey, Hennepin County ranked 92nd out of 236 counties in the nation for the percentage of foreign born population.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 16 percent of the labor force in Hennepin County. However in 120 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 17 to 57 percent.

Stearns County (House District 15 A Jim Knoblach)

• The Saint Cloud area attracts international students from all over the world. Just in two institutions, Saint Cloud State University and the College of Saint Benedict-Saint John’s University there are over 1000 international students from over 80 countries. These institutions invest a lot to make the area attractive to international students.
• In 4 industries in Stearns County Latino and Asian workers make up at least 10 percent of workers in the following industries with 100 or more workers:

• Buying Power of minorities in Stearns County is over 100 million dollars.

• Minorities/immigrants make up around 4 percent of the labor force in the St. Cloud MSA. However in 50 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 4 to 35 percent.

Dakota and Goodhue Counties (Holberg 36 A; Garofalo 36 B)

• Buying Power of Asian and Latinos in Dakota County is an estimated to grow from 600 million dollars in 2006 to over 1 billion dollars in 2030 – greater than the GDP of 20 countries in the world in 2004.
• In 1997 there were 670 Asian and Latino firms in Dakota County with 127 million in sales employing 1255 people.
• According to the 2004 American Community Survey, Hennepin County ranked 140th out of 236 counties in the nation for the percentage of foreign born population.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 8 percent of the labor force in Dakota County. However in over 80 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 10 to 56 percent.

Mcleod and Meeker County (Newman 18A)

• Buying power of Asians and Latinos in McLeod County is estimated at 20 million dollars and 8 million dollars in Meeker County.

• Minorities/immigrants make up around 4.1 percent of the labor force in the Mcleod, Meeker and Sibley Counties. However in at least 20 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 5 to 21 percent.

Washington County (Dean, 52 B)

• Buying power of Asian and Latinos in Washington County is estimated to grow from 282 million in 2006 to 656 million in 2030 – greater than the GDP of 18 countries in the world in 2004.
• According to the 1997 Economic Census, in the county, there were 336 Asian and Latino firms with 45 million dollars in sales employing 403 people.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 5.6 percent of the labor force in Washington County. However in at least 70 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 6 to 23 percent.

Chisago County (Nelson 17 B)

• Buying power of Asians and Latinos in Chisago County is estimated at 10 million dollars.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 3 percent of the labor force in the Chisago and Isanti Counties. However in at least 24 occupational categories with at least 100 workers their share of the workforce ranges from 4 to 10 percent.

Buying Power of Minorities/Immigrants in key cities in these 8 legislative districts:

• Plymouth – 101 million dollars
• Mound - 6 million dollars
• Minnetrista over 2 million dollars
• Medina over 2 million dollars
• St. Cloud - 84 million dollars.
• Waite Park - 9 million dollars
• Rockville - 1 million dollars
• Long Prairie - 6 million dollars
• Sauk Rapids - 6 million dollars
• St. Joseph - 3 million dollars
• Princeton - 1.4 million dollars
• Big Lake - 4 million dollars
• Dassel - 700,000 dollars
• Paynesville – 760, 000 dollars
• Willmar - 67 million dollars
• Staples - 2 million dollars
• Lakeville – 47 million dollars
• Farmington – 11 million dollars
• Northfield – 31 million dollars
• Glencoe – 14 million dollars
• Hutchinson – 10 million dollars
• White Bear Lake – 22 million dollars
• Hugo- 4 million dollars
• Stillwater – 7 million dollars
• Lindstrom – 1.4 million dollars
• North Branch – 4.6 million dollars

House Authors (HF 2576) Knoblach; Smith; Johnson, J.; Holberg; Nelson, P.; Garofalo; Dean; Newman Short Description Local governments prohibited from adopting ordinances which prevent employees from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

Contributions of Immigrants in the Saint Cloud Area

Data for Decision Makers Series Bruce P. Corrie, Ph.D Professor of Economics, Concordia University corrie@csp.edu

• Immigrants continue to add to the vitality of the Saint Cloud Area in many ways as consumers, workers, business owners or international students. Immigrants through their global networks help institutions and individuals in the St. Cloud area develop global connections in the area, whether it is trade, sister cities or cultural ties.
• The Saint Cloud area attracts international students from all over the world. Just in two institutions, Saint Cloud State University and the College of Saint Benedict-Saint John’s University there are over 1000 international students from over 80 countries. These institutions invest a lot to make the area attractive to international students.
• Leading industries in the area need workers. In Stearns County, Latino and Asian workers, most of whom are immigrants make up at least 10 percent of workers in the following industries with 100 or more workers:
• Food
• Petroleum and coal products
• Plastic and rubber products
• Computer and electronic products

• Businesses benefit from the consumer power of immigrants/minorities estimated to be:
• Stearns county over 100 million dollars.
• St. Cloud - 84 million dollars.
• Waite Park - 9 million dollars
• Rockville - 1 million dollars
• Long Prairie - 6 million dollars
• Sauk Rapids - 6 million dollars
• St. Joseph - 3 million dollars
• Princeton - 1.4 million dollars
• Hutchinson - 11 million dollars
• Big Lake - 4 million dollars
• Dassel - 700,000 dollars
• Paynesville – 760, 000 dollars
• Willmar - 67 million dollars
• Staples - 2 million dollars

• Minorities/immigrants make up around 4 percent of the labor force in the St. Cloud MSA. However in the following occupation categories they make up:
• 11.26 percent of the workers in All Computer and Mathematical occupations
• 9.7 percent of All Protective Service Occupations
• 8.4 percent of all Production Occupations
• In certain sub categories the percentages are much higher:
• 19 percent of computer scientists and system analysts
• 12 percent of postsecondary teachers
• 11 percent of news analysts, reporters
• 25 percent of editors
• 11 percent of dentists
• 11 percent of hotel, motel and resort desk clerks
• 37 percent of loan interviewers and clerks
• 11 percent of postal service clerks
• 12 percent of cement masons and concrete finishers
• 16 percent of electrical, electronic and electromechanical assemblers
• 18 percent of bakers
• 35 percent of meat processors
• 20 percent of job printers
• 43 percent of upholsterers

Sources: Census 2000; Author estimates of buying power from Census 2000 data; DEED LMI data. List of Representatives/Senators in the Saint Cloud Area Representative Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL -11B) Representative Greg Blaine (R - 12B) Representative Bud Heidgerken (R -13A) Representative Dan Severson (R -14A) Representative Larry Hosch (DFL - 14B) Representative Jim Knoblach (R - 15A) Representative Joe Opatz (DFL - 15B) Representative Sondra Erickson (R-16A) Representative Scott Newman (R-18A) Senator Dallas Sams (DFL - District 11) Senator Paul Koering (R - District 12) Senator Michelle Fischbach (R-District 14) Senator Dean Johnson (DFL - District 13) Senator Dave Kleis (R - District 15) Senator Betsy Wergin (R - District 16) Senator Amy Koch (R - District 19) Senator Steve Dille (R - District 18)

Why is Minnesota one of the low growth states for Women owned firms?

Bruce P. Corrie, Ph.D corrie@csp.edu If we look at the map from Census 2002 we find Minnesota as one of the low growth states for Women owned businesses. Why are we not one of the fastest growing states? Women-owned firms make up 28 percent of all firms in Minnesota and the number of these firms grew by 14 percent during the period 1997-2002. See map http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2006/women_sbov2.pdf

Latest Data on Women owned Firms in MN

Latest Data on Women Owned Businesses in Minnesota, 2002 Bruce P. Corrie, Ph.D corrie@csp.edu Latest data released by the Census today revealed that there are 123, 905 women owned businesses in Minnesota with $16 billion in sales and receipts. Out of these 16, 737 were firms with employees employing 123, 233 people with an annual payroll of 2..8 billion dollars. Hennepin county had the largest number of women owned firms 31, 667, followed by Ramsey County (12, 634) and Dakota County (9, 688). There were around 167 cities with 100 or more women owned businesses in Minnesota. Minneapolis topped the list followed by Saint Paul, Rochester and Bloomington. Other cities with at least a 1000 women owned businesses were: Maple Grove, Minnetonka,, Plymouth, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park, Woodbury, Andover, Apple Valley, Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Duluth, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina and Lakeville.

New Immigrant Network TIE Launches Minnesota Chapter

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Asian Indian business and community leaders in Minnesota will launch the local chapter of TIE on January 19, 2006 at an inaugural gala at the Radisson in Roseville. It is well established that new immigrants face significant barriers in accessing capital to start their businesses. One reason being that they do not have the networks to access capital and markets. The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), was originally founded in 1992 by Asian Indian immigrant entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to create their own entrepreneurial and financial networks. Today with 42 Chapters in 9 countries TIE focuses on nurturing global entrepreneurship. TIE today stands for Talent, Ideas and Enterprise and brings both entrepreneurs and professionals together in its worldwide network. The TIE website claims that individuals associated with TIE have started businesses valued over 200 billion dollars since 1992 (http://www.tie.org/). The impact of TIE has also brought a new lexicon in academic discourse – “Brain Circulation.” Countering the argument that high skilled immigrants from the developing world drain their home countries of talent, AnnaLee Saxenian makes the case that these immigrants make everyone better off: creating wealth in their new country and investing in their former homeland. She calls this a new form of globalization. (http://cherry.iac.gatech.edu/REFS/TRP-Ref/Saxenian-Local-Global-SV-2002-report.pdf). Rafiq Dossani in a recent report of the Asian Pacific Research Center at Stanford University illustrates the importance of these ethnic networks as new immigrants start businesses. (http://iis-db.stanford.edu/pubs/12082/Dossani_Survey.pdf ). Mahendra Nath, a leading Minnesotan entrepreneur and recipient of numerous awards such as induction into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame and Entrepreneur of the Year, serves as TIE Minnesota’s first President. Key speakers at the inaugural include: Governor Pawlenty, Kanwal Rekhi “The Sage of Silicon Valley" and DEED Commissioner Matt Kramer. The theme of the evening is, “Minnesota & India: Establishing Entrepreneurial Connections in a Global Market.” Information about the TIE inaugural can be found at http://www.mollyguard.com/event/22804208 .

State Proposals towards Legal Immigrants a Step in the Right Direction

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Governor Pawlenty announced certain proposals to encourage legal immigration in Minnesota. Proposals included a mix of policies aimed at encouraging legal immigration in Minnesota both at the high tech level as well as the low income level. These policies included tax credits for citizenship classes, financial literacy programs and proposals to attract high skilled immigrants. These are concrete proposals that send a good message to the world that Minnesota welcomes immigrants. I hope the Governor will continue to encourage Minnesotans to view immigrants as a source of dynamic capital that will help the state become competitive in our global economy. I also hope that he will announce shortly similar comprehensive proposals focusing on the undocumented workers in Minnesota.

Economic Contributions of Mexican Americans in Minnesota

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu The economic contribution of Mexican Americans to the Minnesotan economy can be documented in four main areas:

• As consumers of goods and services
• As workers
• As business owners and employers, and
• As tax payers

Further, the Minnesotan economy is increasingly being tied with the Mexican economy through trade. Below are some data on the economic contributions of Mexican Americans to the economy of Minnesota. Thanks to Readus Fletcher of the City of Saint Paul’s Minority Business Development and Retention department for assistance on this project.

• Mexican Americans have an estimated buying power of $1.1 billion.
• According to the Economic Census 1997, there were over a 1000 Mexican American firms in Minnesota with 213 million dollars in sales, employing between 2500 to 4900 people.
• According to Census 2000 there were 38, 555 Mexican American workers in Minnesota.
• 92 percent of Mexican American households in Minnesota did not receive any social security income – they were net contributors to the social security fund (Census 2000).
• 92 percent of Mexican Americans households in Minnesota reported no public assistance income according to Census 2000.
• Mexican Americans in Minnesota paid 8.2 million dollars in real estate taxes according to Census 2000.
• Mexican Americans in Minnesota paid 7.2 million dollars in rent according to Census 2000.
• Latino immigrant labor contributes about $480 million in annual value added to the economy of South Central Minnesota, including an additional $45 million in state and local tax revenue (Kielkopf, 2000)
• In the following 15 counties Mexican American buying power ranged from 10 to 46 million dollars: St. Louis, Mcleod, Clay, Stearns, Carver, Wantonwan, Kandiyohi, Mower, Freeborn, Scott, Nobles, Olmsted, Rice, Anoka and Washington.
• Mexican American buying power was an estimated 99 million dollars in Dakota County, 237 million dollars in Ramsey County and 364 million dollars in Hennepin County.
• In the following 19 cities in Minnesota Mexican American buying power ranged between 10 and 23 million dollars: Woodbury, Northfield, Maplewood, St. Louis Park, Plymouth, Burnsville, Faribault, Inver Grove Heights, Eagan, South Saint Paul, Bloomington, Willmar, Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester, Brooklyn Park, West Saint Paul, Worthington and Richfield.
• In Minneapolis Mexican American buying power is an estimated 215 million dollars and in Saint Paul an estimated 189 million dollars.
• In 2004, total value of Minnesota Mexico trade (exports and Imports) was almost $1.5 billion dollars. (Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics)
• In 2004, Mexico was among the top 10 export markets for Minnesota. Exports to Mexico grew by 42 percent – much higher than the national average. (Source: DEED)

Minnesota Lessons from CA Study of Immigrants

Bruce P. Corrie, Ph.D. corrie@csp.edu A report by an independent research organization, Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy recently presented its report to the California government. http://www.labor.ca.gov/panel/impactimmcaecon.pdf. The report reviews a wide range of studies on the impact of immigration both legal and illegal on the California and national economy (Please see report for extensive links to studies on immigration and the economy). The report’s conclusions are helpful to us in Minnesota as we explore this issue and are excerpted below: General: Immigration policy in the United States is a federal responsibility. Congress sets immigration eligibility rules and limits, and the federal government has the responsibility for border security. Even though immigration policy is a federal responsibility, the effects of immigration are concentrated in states, such as California, where most immigrants live. This disparity between federal responsibility and local impact helps make immigration one of the most hotly debated public policy issues. Defining Terms: Various organizations use different terms to refer to people who reside in the United States without legal authorization. The Census Bureau and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) generally use the term unauthorized immigrant. This is the term used throughout this report. Other organizations use different terms. The Pew Hispanic Center now uses the term unauthorized migrant. The Urban Institute and the National Council of La Raza use the term undocumented immigrant. The U.S. General Accounting Office uses the terms illegal immigrant and illegal alien. The Center for Immigration Studies and the Federation for American Immigration Reform use the term illegal immigrant. Unauthorized immigrants enter the country in one of two principal ways:

• By crossing the border without valid immigration documents; or
• By entering with a valid visa and then remaining in the country after their visas expire.

Fiscal Impacts: The National Research Council studies and other studies raise many methodological and measurement questions about getting accurate estimates of the fiscal effects of immigration and, particularly, unauthorized immigration. The methodological and measurement issues (many of which are mentioned earlier in this chapter) derive from the fact that existing studies:

• Generally omit long-term impacts;
• Differ on which costs should be attributed to immigrants;
• Differ on how to account for taxes paid by immigrants;
• Count all education spending as a cost (rather than an investment) and omit the benefits of investing in education;
• Differ on how to incorporate the children of immigrants;
• Do not generally take a comprehensive look at federal, state and local fiscal impacts; and
• Look at a single point in time and do not estimate trends in fiscal impacts.

Fiscal Balance Varies by Jurisdiction Federal payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare are the largest tax payments made by low-income residents, regardless of whether they are immigrants or native-born citizens. However, the largest public service costs are for education—and most of these costs are paid for at the state and local level. When the distribution of all public service costs and tax payments is taken into account, all studies of the fiscal effects of immigration agree that the fiscal balance is negative at the state and local level. Moreover, the state and local fiscal effects are felt most keenly in jurisdictions with higher shares of low-income immigrants. Some jurisdictions experience more negative fiscal balances than others. Immigration policy in the United States is a federal responsibility. Congress sets immigration eligibility rules and limits, and the federal government has the responsibility for border security. Because immigration policy is a federal responsibility, and because the fiscal balance for immigrants can be positive at the federal level and negative at the state and local level, states with large immigrant populations—whether legal or unauthorized—regularly ask Congress for financial assistance to offset the current costs of serving unauthorized immigrants. Some federal financial assistance is granted for emergency Medicaid costs and for prison costs, but that federal assistance covers only approximately 10% of the costs of these programs. Economic Impacts The economic impact of immigration falls into two broad categories:

• Effects on the overall economy—including economic growth, unemployment, wages and price levels.

• Effects on individuals—including, in particular, whether individuals’ wages or job opportunities are affected as a result of immigration.

The conclusion of most research on the subject is that immigration provides net economic benefits to domestic residents, although some individuals may suffer losses of income. In other words, immigration provides net benefits—but there are both winners and losers. The ability of immigrants to acquire experience, and the ability of their children to acquire a good education, including college education, will play a large role in determining the long-term economic and fiscal impact of immigration in the state and the nation. Some California Trends:

• Job growth — California’s job growth has outpaced the national average since 1994. Although California has experienced two downturns since 1990 (the aerospace-led downturn in the early 1990s and the Internet/tech-led downturn after 2000), immigration was not a factor in either downturn.
• Poverty rate — California’s poverty rate is now close to the national average, after having been 3% higher than the nation’s rate in the early 1990s. The poverty rate declines as the immigrants’ length of residence in the U.S. increases.
• Average wage levels — California average wages have risen faster than the national average since 1990. They were 13% above the national average in 2004.
• English language proficiency — English language proficiency and high school graduation rates rise in the second generation. The Pew Hispanic Center reports that only 7% of second-generation Latinos use Spanish as their primary language. In the third generation of Latinos, 78% use English as their primary language, and the other 22% are bilingual.

In The Costs of Immigration to Taxpayers, analysts George Vernez and Kevin McCarthy conclude: Existing studies of the costs of immigration do not provide a reliable or accurate estimate of the net costs and benefits of immigration—even when those costs and benefits are defined narrowly. Moreover, without reaching consensus on a host of conceptual and accounting issues, we doubt that additional studies will shed light on these important policy questions. Thanks to Barbara Ronnigen of the State Demographer’s Office for bringing this study to my attention.

Principles for Comprehensive Immigration Policy

Minnesota's Competitive edge will depend on how we address the role and place of immigrants in our economy - ranging from the high technology arena to the low skilled areas of our workforce. The following are suggested principles to guide our discourse on this issue.

• Respect the dignity of the person
• Keep issues relating to immigrants, legal and illegal, in the policy arena and not the political arena
• There is a clear distinction between a terrorist and an immigrant (legal or undocumented worker). Each calls for separate responses.
• Good immigration policy looks at both the costs and benefits of immigration related issues.
• Mexico and the United States have a symbiotic relationship that impacts a number of issues including immigration policy.
• Minnesota's increasing ties to a global economy demands a global perspective on policies, especially immigration policy.

If you like your name to be added to these principles (or if you have suggestions) please send a message to corrie@csp.edu and I will add it to the list posted on my blog- http://ethnictrends.blogspot.com

Supporters of the Immigrant Principles

Isabel Chanslor

Marcy Das-Sulc

David Zander

Adeel Lari

Ramon Leon

Barbara Jo Davis

Mary Laeger-Hagemeister

Edwina Garcia

One Sided State Report on Illegal Immigrants

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu The recent report of the Department of Administration on undocumented workers gives a one sided perspective on the impact of these workers on the Minnesotan economy. According to the report, undocumented workers or illegal immigrants cost the state $180 million a year. The report concludes that the net costs of undocumented workers are greater than their tax payments. (http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Administration/Report_The_Impact_of_Illegal_Immigration_on_Minnesota_120805035315_Illegale ) Interestingly the report does not refer to a study commissioned by HACER Minnesota in 2000 done by James Kielkopf which reported the following: (http://www.hacer-mn.org/PDFs/Undocumented.pdf)

• Undocumented workers account for at least $1.56 billion a year in valued added to the Minnesotan economy.
• The economic impact of undocumented workers accounts to as much as 2.4 percent of Minnesota’s GDP.
• Up to 50,000 Minnesotans owe their jobs to the presence of undocumented workers. For every undocumented worker removed from the economy there is a corresponding loss of a job somewhere else in the economy.
• These workers contribute an estimated $1 billion in tax revenue and are a net benefit to Minnesota.

Further, my analysis of data on Minnesota firms sanctioned by the INS for employing undocumented workers revealed that a wide range of industries across 69 counties and 196 cities in Minnesota used undocumented workers (See blog below). These workers are subsidizing our standard of living in Minnesota. In order to come up with a comprehensive solution to the issue of undocumented workers we need to have a complete picture of the impact of these workers else we will just be chasing policy windmills.

Over 1000 MN Firms in 69 counties used Undocumented Workers

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Over 1000 Minnesota companies in 196 Minnesota cities and 69 Minnesota counties used undocumented workers. These firms were in 23 percent of Minnesota’s cities and 79 percent of Minnesota’s counties. The firms were found in 75 SIC 4 digit industry categories ranging from roofers to commercial printing. Undocumented workers do have a significant impact on the Minnesotan economy. Similar to cheap Chinese imports keeping our inflation low, cheap labor of the undocumented workers are subsidizing our lifestyles in Minnesota in substantial ways. The companies cover a wide spectrum of Minnesota’s firms and include some prominent Minnesota institutions. The data reveals the importance of undocumented workers to the Minnesota economy. The data will help policy makers recognize the important contribution these invisible workers make to the Minnesotan economy and spur them to develop a comprehensive immigration strategy. The Pew Center estimates that there are around 55-85,000 undocumented workers in Minnesota (http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/46.pdf). The data was obtained from the INS by the Center for Immigration Studies. The data reports cases of companies sanctioned by the INS for employing undocumented workers in Minnesota mainly during the period 1989-2000. Below are the major cities and counties where the firms were located as well as the 75 SIC four digit categories of firms that employed undocumented workers. SIC Code Category 8361 HOMES,RESIDENTIAL CARE 8211 SCHOOLS,ELEMENTARY & SECO 8099 HEALTH & ALLIED SVCS,NEC 8082 HOME HEALTH CARE SVCS 8052 INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILIT 8051 NURSING CARE FACILITIES,S 7997 SPORTS & RECREATION CLUBS 7991 PHYSICAL FITNESS FACILITI 7542 CARWASHES 7538 AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS,G 7389 BUSINESS SVCS,NEC 7361 EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES 7359 EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASIN 7349 BLDG CLEANING & MAINTENAN 7299 PERSONAL SVCS,NEC 7221 PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIOS,PORT 7218 INDUSTRIAL LAUNDERERS 7213 LINEN SUPPLY SVCS 7011 HOTELS & MOTELS 6512 BLDG OPERATORS,NON-RESIDE 6011 BANKS,FEDERAL RESERVE 5963 DIRECT SELLING ESTABLISHM 5944 JEWELRY STORES 5941 SPORTING GOODS STORES & B 5812 RESTAURANTS 5812 NURSING & PERSONAL CARE F 5713 FLOOR COVERING STORES 5699 APPAREL & ACCESSORY STORE 5651 FAMILY CLOTHING STORES 5511 CAR & TRUCKS DEALERS,NEW 5499 FOOD STORES,MISC 5411 GROCERY STORES 5399 GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE 5331 VARIETY STORES 5311 DEPARTMENT STORES 5199 NON-DURABLE GOODS,NEC,WHL 5159 FARM-PRODUCT RAW MATERIAL 5099 DURABLE GOODS,NEC,WHLS 5093 SCRAP & WASTE MATERIALS,W 5015 MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS,USED, 4724 TRAVEL AGENCIES 4213 TRUCKING,EXC LOCAL 4151 SCHOOL BUSES 3999 MANUFCTRNG INDUSTRIES,NEC 3842 ORTHOPEDIC & SURGICAL APP 3711 MOTOR VEHICLE MFRS 3672 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS 3643 WIRING DEVICE MFRS,CURREN 3629 ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL APP 3585 AIR CONDITIONING & HEATIN 3544 SPECIAL DIE & TOOL MAKERS 3499 METAL PRODUCT MFRS,NEC,FA 3496 WIRE PRODUCT MFRS,MISC,FA 3449 STRUCTURAL METALWORK MFRS 3423 TOOL MFRS,HAND & EDGE 2789 BOOKBINDING & RELATED WOR 2752 COMMERCIAL PRINTING,LITHO 2448 PALLETS & SKIDS MFRS,WOOD 2389 APPAREL & ACCESSORIES MFR 2099 FOOD PREPARATIONS MFRS,NE 2022 CHEESE MFRS,NATURAL,PROCE 2015 POULTRY SLAUGHTERING & PR 2011 MEAT PACKING PLANTS 1796 BLDG EQUIP INSTALLATION & 1761 ROOFING,SIDING & SHEET ME 1742 PLASTER DRYWALL INSULATIO 1741 MASONRY,STONE SET & OTHER 1721 PAINTING & PAPER HANGING 1542 CONTRACTORS,NON-RESIDENTI 1522 CONTRACTORS,MULTIFAMILY U 0782 LAWN & GARDEN SVCS 0253 TURKEY & TURKEY EGG FARMS 0191 FARMS,GENERAL,PRIMARILY C 0181 NURSERIES,FLOWERS,ETC 0000 MAINTENANCE CITYNAME ADRIAN AFTON AITKIN ALBANY ALBERT LEA ALEXANDRIA ALTURA ANOKA APPLE VALLEY APPLETON ARLINGTON AUSTIN BAYTOWN TOWNSHIP BEMIDJI BIG LAKE BLAINE BLOOMINGTON BRAINERD BRECKENRIDGE BROOKLYN CENTER BROOKLYN PARK BROOKS BUFFALO BUFFALO LAKE BURNSVILLE BUTTERFIELD CAMBRIDGE CANNON FALLS CARVER CHAMPLIN CHANHASSEN CHASKA CLARA CITY CLEARBROOK CLEARWATER COLD SPRING COLOGNE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMFREY COON RAPIDS COTTAGE GROVE CROOKSTON CRYSTAL DALTON DAYTON DETROIT LAKES DEXTER DODGE CENTER DULUTH EAGAN EASTON EDEN PRAIRIE EDINA ELKO ELLENDALE ELY EVELETH EXCELSIOR FAIRMONT FARMINGTON FERGUS FALLS FOREST LAKE FRAZEE FRIDLEY GARFIELD GAYLORD GLENWOOD GOLDEN VALLEY GOODVIEW GRAND PORTAGE GRAND RAPIDS HAM LAKE HASTINGS HECTOR HIBBING HOPKINS HUGO INVER GROVE HEIGHTS JACKSON JORDAN KASOTA KENYON LA CRESCENT LAKE ELMO LAKE PARK LAKEVILLE LAPORTE LE SUEUR LITCHFIELD LITTLE CANADA LITTLE FALLS LONG LAKE LORETTO LUCAN LUVERNE LYMAN MADELIA MADISON MAHTOMEDI MANKATO MAPLE GROVE MAPLE PLAIN MAPLETON MAPLEWOOD MARSHALL MAYER MEDINA MENDOTA MENDOTA HEIGHTS MINETONKA MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA CITY MINNESOTA LAKE MINNETONKA MONTGOMERY MOORHEAD MOTLEY NEW BRIGHTON NEW HOPE NEW PRAGUE NISSWA NORTH BRANCH NORTH OAKES NORTH SAINT PAUL NORTHFIELD OAK PARK HEIGHTS OAKDALE OKLEE OLIVIA ORONO ORONOCO ORR OWATONNA PARK RAPIDS PELICAN RAPIDS PEQUOT LAKES PIPESTONE PLYMOUTH PRINCETON PRINSBURG PRIOR LAKE REDWOOD FALLS RICHFIELD ROBBINSDALE ROCHESTER ROGERS ROSEAU ROSEMOUNT ROSEVILLE ROYALTON RUTHTON S INTL FALLS SAINT BONIFACIUS SAINT CLAIR SAINT CLOUD SAINT JAMES SAINT JOSEPH SAINT LOUIS PARK SAINT PAUL SAINT PETER SARTELL SAUK RAPIDS SAVAGE SHAKOPEE SHOREVIEW SILVER LAKE SLEEPY EYE SOUTH SAINT PAUL SPICER SPRING GROVE SPRING PARK ST CHARLES ST LOUIS PARK STILLWATER STORDEN THIEF RIVER FALLS TRACY VERNDALE VIRGINIA WACONIA WALDORF WALKER WASECA WAYZATA WELLS WEST SAINT PAUL WHITE BEAR LAKE WILLMAR WINDOM WINONA WOOD LAKE WOODBURY WORTHINGTON WYOMING YOUNG AMERICA ZIMMERMAN COUNTY YELLOW MEDICINE WRIGHT WINONA WILKIN WATONWAN WASHINGTON WASECA WADENA SWIFT STEELE STEARNS SIBLEY SHERBURNE SCOTT SAINT LOUIS ROSEAU ROCK RICE RENVILLE REDWOOD RED LAKE RAMSEY POPE POLK PIPESTONE PENNINGTON OTTER TAIL OLMSTED NOBLES NICOLLET MOWER MORRISON MILLE LACS MEEKER MCLEOD MARTIN LYON LESUEUR LAKE LAC QUI PARLE KOOCHICHING KANDYOHI JACKSON ITASCA ISANTI HUBBARD HOUSTON HENNEPIN GRAFTON GOODHUE FREEBORN FARIBAULT DOUGLAS DAKOTA CROW WING COTTONWOOD COOK CLEARWATER CLAY CHISAGO CHIPPEWA CASS CARVER BROWN BLUE EARTH BELTRAMI BECKER ANOKA AITKIN

Economic Contributions of Asian Indian Minnesotans

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu The Asian Indian population is in the range of 30,000 according to Census 2000 and have a significant impact on the Minnesota economy: An immigrant community with buying power of nearly half a billion dollars. In suburbs like Eden Prairie, Asian Indian buying power is 20 million dollars. 97 percent receive no public assistance but pay over 5 million in real estate taxes and over 2 million in rental payments. In 1997 there was an estimated 961 Asian Indian firms in Minnesota with 670 million dollars in sale employing over 6000 people. 72 percent of the Asian Indian workforce are in management and professional occupations. Among the occupations with a strong Asian Indian presence are computer and health related occupations as well as the social sciences. Asian Indians have high human capital with 74 percent having a Bachelor’s degree or higher educational qualifications. In Minnesota the Asian Indian influence cuts across many sectors as can be seen in the list below:

POLITICS

State Senator Satveer Chaudhary (DFL)

Gopal Khanna, Governor’s Cabinet (GOP)

BUSINESS/Management

Mahendra Nath, MN Business Hall of Fame

Kay Kuba, Top 100 Women owned Business

Prakash Puram, National Export Council

Frank Moneteiro, SBA Small Business Award

Rajiv Tandon, Rajeo Dhar, KC Sukumar, Daljt Sikha, Satya Garg, Bennet Cyrus, Anil Khurana, Vinod Kumar, Paul Kuttikadan, Ben Kurian , Nita Singh. Top MN Companies

Marthand Noorkala, Senior Mgmt, MnDOT

Bruce Corrie, Chair, Governors Working Group on Minority Business Dev (Ventura).

Vijay Sood, Senior VP, General Mills

Jesse Singh, Division VP, 3M

Basant Kharbanda, owner Foshay Towers

V V Chari, Advisor to Federal Reserve Bank

Aks Zaheer, Carlson School of Management

MEDIA

Fred de Sam Lazaro, NewHour Lehrer, PBS

Vineeta Sawkar, New anchor, KSTP

Neal Justin, Star Tribune and AAJA

Geeta Sitamariah, Pioneer Press

Mukthar Thakur, Sarjit Bains, Shashi Gupta, Sangam Radio and Geetmala TV

COMMUNITY

Rev. Cherian Puthiyottil, Rev. Andrade, Rev. Thoomkuzy, Rev. Thelakatt, Pastors

Mukhtar Thakur, State Council on APA

Dilip Mallick, Vice Chair, Dragon Festival

Shashi Gupta, Bhupat Desai, Bruce Corrie, Asian Pacific Fund, Saint Paul Foundation

Ram Gada, Minnesota Historical Society

Hyder Khan, MN Advocates Human Rights

Bhupat Desai, Ananth Shankar, Dilip Mallick, Sarjit Bains, Bruce Corrie (Chair), The Policy Roundtable

Rowzat Shipchandler, Saint Paul Foundation

SCIENCE/HEALTH/Technology

Sumita Mitra, Gaddam Babu, Ashok Nangia, 3M Corporate Scientist

Vibhu Kshettry, Minneapolis Heart Institute

Ramesh Harjani, Jaideep Srivastava, Shashi Shekhar, Vipin Kumar, High Tech Innovators

Krishna Saxena, Shashi Sane, Children’s Hospital

CULTURE

Ranee Ramaswamy, Ragamala Theatre

Rita Mustafi, Katha Dance Theater

Dipankar Mukerjee, Meena Natarajan, Pangea Theatre

Shivanthi Sathanandan, India MusicSociety

Raj Menon, Godan & Guptan Nambodiripad, Preeti Mathur, Neena Gada, Rabinder Bains

SILC, COMMUNITY

Raghavan Iyer, Indian Cusine

Ethnic Trends: Latinos in Baseball

Bruce P.Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Jonathan Eig writes in the October 22,2005 edition of the Wall Street Journal that with the rise of the White Sox of Chicago, Latino dominance of baseball takes center stage. Ozzie Guillen is the Manager of the Chicago White Sox and is a native of Venezuela. He is the first Latino manager to reach the World Series. 8 of his 25 players at the World series are Latino. In major league baseball Latinos have grown from 13 percent of all players in 1989 to 26 percent in 2004. It is estimated that around half of minor league players are Latinos.

Hmong Real Estate Firm Among Top 25

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu JB Realty (Kou Vang) was ranked 14th in City Business Book of Lists of Real Estate Brokerage Firms. The firm moved up four notches from 18 last year to 14 on the list. For more information see the latest edition of The Business Journal.

Chinese Minnesotans: Economic Contributiions

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu According to Census 2000, there were 15 380 Chinese Minnesotans. Chinese Minnesotans have an estimated buying power of over $400 million dollars. They paid $6.1 million in real estate taxes, $1.2 million in rent and an estimated $45 million in state and local taxes. According to the Economic Census 1997, there were 922 Chinese Minnesotans firms with an estimated 454 million in sales. Chinese Minnesotans have very high human capital: 60 percent of the Chinese Minnesotan workforce were in Management and Professional occupations. Chinese educational levels were higher than the average for Minnesota with 64 percent having a Bachelor’s degree or higher. 11 percent had doctorates. Below is a partial list of Chinese Minnesotans who have contributed to the building of Minnesota in various areas.

1. Business/Science Fred Hsiao, Top 25 General Contractor Lee Ann Chin, Restaurant chain Yvonne Cheung Ho, President, MEDA Eugene Sit, Sit Mutual Funds Paul Gam, Saint Jude MedicalLi King Feng, MN Trade OfficeZ.J and Helen Lee, EntrepreneursWeiming Lu, President, Lowertown Redevelopment CorporationH. C. Shin, Executive Vice President, 3MKaren Hsiao Ashe, Scientist, U of M, Alzheimer’s diseaseDavid Pui, Scientist, U of MYalai Zhang, EntrepreneurBrian Zhang, Entrepreneur
2. Community Judge Tony Leung, Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu, Hennepin CountyGail Chang Bohr, Children’s Law CenterJennie Hsiao, Council on APA MN Ivy Chang, Co-Chair, U of M Asian Advisory Council, The Policy RoundtableJoseph Hui, Asian Pacific Fund, Saint Paul Foundation, The Policy Roundtable Valerie Lee, Minneapolis FoundationHong Yang, U. of M. China CenterErika Lee, Immigrant historianConnie Wang, AttorneyAmy Xu, AttorneyNelson Dong, AttorneyMargaret Wong, Breck School
3. Culture Yo Yo Ma, International cellistWing Young Houie, PhotographerAnge Hwang, Asia Media Access Kaimay Terry, CAAM Dance TheatrePat Hui, artist and collectorPaul Kwok, artist.

Is China Growing too fast? Minnesota China expert explores topic

The Minnesota based international online journal presenting policy issues from diverse perspectives www.policybriefs.org features Minnesota pioneering China expert, Professor Richard Bohr of the College of Saint Benedict.

Bohr edits a series of policy briefs on the topic – Is China Growing too fast? Also featured is a policy brief on China versus India as the new regional economic superpower.

The online journal indexed by EBSCO presents complex policy issues in a simple way and at the same time offers the reader the diversity of perspectives on a particular topic.

The online editor of the journal, Peter Habenczius is based in Hungary. The Editor/Founder of the journal Dr. Bruce Corrie is professor of economics at Concordia University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. For more information please contact him at corrie@csp.edu.

Minnesota Minority Buying Power 2005

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD
corrie@csp.edu

According to the Selig Center of Georgia, minority buying power nationally is an estimated 2 trillion dollars and 12.8 billion in Minnesota. (Greater than the GDP of over 90 countries in the world)

2005 Black Buying Power – 4.1 billion dollars (Greater than the GDP of over 50 countries)
2005 American Indian Buying Power – 1.1 billion dollars (Greater than the GDP of over 25 countries)
2005 Asian American Buying Power – 4.3 billion dollars (Greater than the GDP of over 50 countries)

2005 Hispanic Buying Power – 3.3 billion dollars (Greater than the GDP of over 50 countries)

Zone Section of University Avenue as an Ethnic Commercial Corridor

Zone Section of  University Avenue as an Ethnic Commercial Corridor


We would like University Avenue from Lexington Avenue to the State Capitol to be zoned an Ethnic Commercial Corridor and ask that specific steps be taken to develop and market this unique ethnic identity.

In our vision that segment of University Avenue will continue to be a hub for small and ethnic businesses and community organizations. What we would like to see further developed is the creation of an ‘ethnic identity’ in terms of ethnic art, street signs and banners. The area then will complement other ethnic areas in Saint Paul such as District Del Sol and Selby Avenue and could be marketed as one of the attractions of our global city.

We do not see the choice of Big Box versus small businesses or community on the avenue, rather we can see opportunities for both enhancing the avenue.  Big Box developments could take place on other stretches of the avenue and would be encouraged to play a supportive role in developing the ethnic infrastructure and marketing of the Ethnic corridor segment of the avenue.

Having studied the six block stretch on University Avenue from Dale to Farrington earlier this year, we find our suggestion to be of great merit to the city.

In 1997, David Kaplan documented the growth in the avenue in an article published in the journal Economic Geography. Integrating data from various sources he documented the growth and development of Asian owned businesses on a 6 block stretch from Dale to Farrington from 1981 to 1991. The growth in the avenue paralleled the arrival of Southeast Asian refugees to Minnesota and Saint Paul. In 1999, Saint Paul Pioneer Press reporter Brian Bonner did an extensive and detailed map of businesses on 17 blocks on University Avenue.

We and other students in our Microeconomics class decided to update the above reports of the avenue and provide a contemporary perspective on the 6 block stretch from Dale to Farrington. The advantage of focusing on just the 6 block stretch on the avenue was the presence of comparable data going back to 1981 that could illustrate the dynamic energy on the avenue.

Our study showed that Asian businesses grew from 2 percent of all businesses on the six block stretch of the avenue in 1981 to 39 percent in 1991 to 67 percent in 2005.

These ethnic businesses have put in their own equity, for the most part, in developing the avenue. They converted run down and boarded buildings into what have now become thriving businesses. We want to focus on the social equity that they have put into the business as the basis for our proposal to market and develop it as an ethnic commercial corridor.

These ethnic businesses by being successful have also increased property values on the entire avenue. Now it is the turn of those who want to locate big box developments on the avenue to pay their dues. By facilitating the development and marketing of the ethnic corridor on University Avenue they will repay the social equity invested by the ethnic communities around the avenue. In the process they will also help their own businesses prosper by tapping into the ethnic customer base that frequents the avenue. This is the win-win situation for all.

Critics of the Big Box developments will find in our proposal a healthy compromise that will be good for all: jobs as well as the small and ethnic businesses as well as the residents of the neighborhoods around the avenue.

The economic paybacks of such a decision are tremendous. Among the many benefits of having a declared ethnic commercial corridor are the following:

• Increase in the number of ethnic business locating on and around the avenue, such as is occurring in the Frog Town area.


• Encouraging more business to business and business to community networks as mainstream businesses realize the potential of the ethnic markets.


• A living vibrant example of people achieving the American dream.


• It helps change negative stereotypes of immigrants and vividly illustrates their economic contributions to society.


• Saint Paul can effectively market its multi ethnic capital which is a big draw for the visitor and convention business.

University Avenue is a living example of the American dream. It is time to celebrate this identity in a strategic way.

Bruce Corrie is Professor of Economics and Grant Meyer, Xieng Thor, and Sherri Volkert are undergraduate students in the Department of Business at Concordia University, Saint Paul. Corrie can be reached at corrie@csp.edu.

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MINORITIES IN LOUISIANA

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD
corrie@csp.edu

BUYING POWER:               20 BILLION DOLLARS

RENTAL PAYMENTS               109 MILLION DOLLARS

REAL ESTATE PAYMENTS            68 MILLION DOLLARS

MINORITY FIRMS

• 58, 829 minority firms with 6 billion dollars in sales,


• 6719 had employees, employing 57,887


• Annual payroll of 1.1 billion.


• From 15 percent of all firms in 1997 to 18 percent of all firms in 2002.


• Overall firms grew 11 percent during the same period.


• However Black firms grew 56 percent, Asian 28 percent and Hispanic 15 percent. American Indian firms had negative growth rates.

In terms of number of firms Black firms were 11th in the nation for Black firms, Hispanics 20th, Asian 21st and American Indian 22nd for their respective groups.

Ethnic Trends: Economic Contributions of Hmong in Wisconsin

Bruce P. Corrie, Ph.D
corrie@csp.edu
Emerging Markets Series
http://ethnictrends.blogspot.com

 
Hmong are adding much to the economic base wherever they live in Wisconsin. The data below compiled from Census 2000 illustrates ways in which they contribute to their local economies  as consumers, homeowners, renters and property owners.
 

• Buying Power of Hmong in Wisconsin: 234 million dollars


• Real Estate Taxes: 3. 3 million dollars


• Rental Payments: 1.3 million dollars

• Economic Contributions of Hmong in Selected Wisconsin MSAs

• Appleton-Oshkosh-Neonah MSA: Hmong have 32 million dollars in consumer buying power, pay 207 thousand dollars in gross rent and 434 thousand dollars in real estate taxes. 41 percent own their homes.

• Eau Claire, MSA: Hmong have 12 million dollars in consumer buying power, pay 68 thousand dollars in rent and 223 thousand dollars in real estate taxes. 51 percent own their homes.

• Green Bay, MSA: Hmong have 21 million dollars in consumer buying power, pay 145 thousand dollars in rent and 298 thousand dollars in real estate taxes. 34 percent own their homes.

• La Crosse, MSA: Hmong have 12 million in consumer buying power, pay 74 thousand dollars in rent and 226 thousand dollars in real estate taxes. 48 percent own their homes.

• Madison, MSA: Hmong have 21 million dollars in consumer buying power, pay 164 thousand dollars in rent and 405 thousand dollars in real estate taxes. 40 percent own their homes.

• Milwaukee-Racine, MSA:  Hmong have 69 million dollars in consumer buying power, pay 263 thousand in rent and 759 thousand dollars in real estate tazes. 58 percent own their homes.

• Wasau, MSA:  Hmong have 21 million dollars in consumer buying power, pay 155 thousand in rent and 363 thousand in real estate taxes. 44 percent own their homes.

Ethnic Trends: Minority Female Entrepreneurs, 2002

Take the Quiz: Minority Female Entrepreneurs 2002
Bruce P. Corrie, PhD, corrie@csp.edu.
Tel: 651 641 8226

What is the total number of minority female entrepreneurs in the USA?


Answer:  1. 5 million or 23 percent of all female owned firms with $119 billion in sales and employing almost a million people with an annual payroll of $21 billion.

Which minority group has the largest number of female entrepreneurs?

Answer:  547, 341 Black Female firms or 46 percent of Black firms. There were almost the same number of Latina firms, 540, 909.

Which minority group had the largest percentage of female minority firms with paid employees?

Answer: American Indian female firms – 30 %.

Which minority group had largest employment among female owned firms?

Answer: Asian female owned firms employed 430,884 people.

Which minority group had largest annual payroll among female owned firms?

Answer: Asian female owned firms over $10 million in annual payroll

How many female owned firms are there in Minnesota?

Answer:123 928 or 17 highest number in the nation

How many minority female owned firms are there in Minnesota?

Answer: Report is not yet out..check back at this site over the next few months.
Source: Survey of Business Owners, 2002. Author calculations.