Ethnic Capital - Liberians in MN and USA

Ethnic Capital: Liberians in the United States and Minnesota

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD

Dean, College of Business, Concordia University

corrie@csp.edu

Daniel Johnson,

Research Assistant, Concordia University

Though a small community Liberians in the United States and Minnesota have a significant impact on the national and local economy. This report will document the multidimensional economic contributions of Liberians in Minnesota and the nation. The local analysis in Minnesota can help estimate the national economic contributions of this community to the nation.

· Liberian workers are a small but significant part of the Minnesotan economy. According to the EMSI model the employment of Liberian workers helped create over 12,000 jobs and increase overall earnings by 492 million dollars. This earnings increase is almost the size of the GDP of Liberia.

• Liberians in the United States have a buying power of over a billion dollars. This is equivalent to two times the GDP of Liberia in 2005.

• In Minnesota Liberian buying power is an estimated $157 million dollars which is almost as large as the 2007-08 Liberian National Budget of $199 million dollars.

• Liberian workers are concentrated in the health care sector – nationally and locally with 45 percent locally and 36 percent nationally in that sector. Almost 4000 Liberians work in the health care sector in Minnesota.
• Liberian workers have a powerful impact on the health care sector of Minnesota. According to the EMSI model, if the slightly over 3000 Liberian workers were to leave the local economy this would impact 7000 other workers in Minnesota and create a further earnings loss of over 300 million dollars in Minnesota.

• At the national level, Liberians pay an estimated 441 million dollars in personal taxes, almost equal to the GDP of Liberia.
• In Minnesota, Liberians pay an estimated 24 million dollars in state taxes and 22 million dollars in federal taxes.

• Minnesota with exports to Liberia of 1.2 million dollars in 2007 was the 15^th largest trading partner of the US with Liberia.
• Between 2002 and 2007 – trade between Liberia and Minnesota rose 1479 percent or over 14 times.

Conclusion

Liberians in Minnesota and the nation are a small and significant part of the local and national economy. They influence the local and national economy in many ways – as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, global and cultural capital. It is all the more important that the issue of the TPS of some Liberians expiring be given due policy consideration as a sudden labor shortage in a critical sector of the economy (health care) can have a significant on the economy of Minnesota.

For the full report visit www.ethnictrends.info

Economic Contributions of African Immigrants

Minnesota is among the top 10 states in the nation for the number of African immigrants.

African Immigrant buying power in the USA is an estimated 45 billion dollars (in relative terms – will be the 6^th largest African economy). African Immigrant Capital in Minnesota is also significant – for example buying power of the Somalis is an estimated 216 million dollars, Ethiopians 203 million dollars, Nigerians 71 million dollars, Kenyan 167 million dollars, Liberians 142 million dollars and smaller communities like the Cameroonian community have an estimated buying power of 6 million dollars.

African immigrants, as compared to other immigrants, tend to be younger, have higher educational attainment and have a greater participation in the workforce.

This data was released by Dr. Bruce Corrie, Professor of Economics and Director of the Strategic Business Design Institute, Concordia University, at the 4^th Annual Midwest Multicultural Marketing Conference in Saint Paul, MN. For more data on African Immigrant Capital please see http://www.ethnictrends.info/AfricanImmigrantCapital.html

A new study on the economic contributions of African immigrants from Liberia will be released shortly. Contact: corrie@csp.edu Tel: 651 641 8226

Mexican Americans and the Immigration Debate

A new study documenting the economic contributions of Mexican Americans in Minnesota was released on March 3, 2008 at the Minnesota Meeting in Minneapolis.

The study addresses a critical weakness of immigration research and policy that has a very narrow definition of economic contribution with its focus mainly on taxes and government spending.

The study offers a comprehensive picture of the economic contributions of immigrants by focusing on immigrants as consumers, workers, human capital, entrepreneur, tax payers, global capital, cultural capital and political capital. Within this perspective the study finds that Mexican Americans have made very significant economic contribution to the state of Minnesota – much more than has been acknowledged in the policy debate on immigration.

The study also points to a flaw in the existing debate on immigration of not incorporating the realities of our market system into the framing of immigration policy. Further there may be no contingency plans developed at the state or national level to address the impact to the local and national economy if large scale labor shortages occur should we implement proposed immigration policies such as mass deportations. The study can be found at http://www.ethnictrends.info/mexammn.html.

Housing Market for Undocument Workers Estimated at $85 Billion

Unlikely Mortgage Winner

Illegal-Immigrant Loans Have Been Solid Bets; Threats Are Looming

By MIRIAM JORDAN October 9, 2007; Page C1 WSJ

This WSJ provides some estimates of the housing market of undocumented workers...below are some excerpts from the interesting article... The housing market for ITIN homes is estimated at $85 billion. But it estimates that the niche market has generated only $2 billion in loans overall because relatively few banks offer them.

The mortgages represent a fraction of the $2.8 trillion mortgage market. But they are a bright spot in today's gloomy mortgage industry.

For loans more than 90 days in arrears, ITIN mortgages have a delinquency rate of about 0.5%, according to independent estimates. That compares with 1% for prime mortgages and 9.3% for subprime mortgages extended to those with spotty credit histories.

....ITIN-mortgage applicants are largely blue-collar, illegal-immigrant workers with only modest incomes. But they undergo more scrutiny -- and provide more documentation -- than candidates for stated-income mortgages and other subprime loans, for example. Most banks also ask applicants to show they have been filing taxes -- with an ITIN -- for at least two years.

Despite the high-yield potential of ITIN mortgages, the majority of players in the ITIN-mortgage segment are small banks rather than large national institutions. Concern over the controversy that can erupt over serving the illegal-immigrant community is widely regarded as preventing big banks interested in the Hispanic market from joining the fray.

Why Somalis are Welcome in Louisville

Today's WSJ (Miriam Jordan) has a story of Somalis immigrants in Louisville Kentucky. The city for various reasons including an aging population has adopted a welcoming approach to immigrants. The city's Mayor Jerry Abramson calls them "internationals" and presents "international awards" to individuals, organizations and companies working to integrate the immigrants in their community.

"It's not that the city has a 'Let's go and find immigrants' approach," says Randy Capps, a senior research associate at the independent Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. "It hopes that by being a welcoming place, more immigrants will want to settle there."

Louisville has not actively gone out and recruited immigrants but some of them found their way here through the refugee allocation process.

From 1990-2004 - the foreign born population has jumped 388 % in the city. 80 languages are spoken in their schools.

For data on immigrants and minorities please visit http://ethnictrends.info

The Hispanic Vote (WSJ Article)

The WSJ September 15 documents some interesting facts on the Hispanic Vote:

• Hispanics make up 8 percent of the electorate and are projected to become 20% of the electorate by 2020
• 48 % of Hispanic voters are foreign born up from 18 % in 1988
• Hispanics may decide elections in the following states: New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Colorado

According the the WSJ, "Latinos are proven swing voters, and Republican energies would be better employed trying to win them over instead of trying to capitalize on ethnic polarization to win GOP primaries." visit http://www.ethnictrends.info for data on ethnic markets

Hispanics' Hard Times Hit Wal-Mart

Results of U.S. Housing Slump Are Felt On Both Sides of Border With Mexico

By KRIS HUDSON and ANA CAMPOY August 29, 2007; Page A8, Wall Street Journal

• The Mexican central bank estimates that money transfers into the country have risen 0.6% so far this year, compared with a robust 15% increase last year and 21% the year prior. Money transfers from the U.S. are estimated by economic-analysis firm Global Insight Inc. to account for 5% of Mexico's consumer spending.
• Money transfers from the U.S. are estimated by economic-analysis firm Global Insight Inc. to account for 5% of Mexico's consumer spending.
• WalMex racked up $18.3 billion in sales last year, accounting for nearly a quarter of the retailer's international sales and ranking it as Wal-Mart's second-largest international division behind its Asda unit in the United Kingdom.
• An estimated 9% of Wal-Mart's U.S. shoppers were Hispanic in 2005, up from 6% in 1997, according to ACNielsen.

Racism and Health

Interesting article in the Boston Globe on possible impact of racisim on health status of victims.

The Point System and Immigration Reform

There is considerable debate about the Point System proposal for immigration reform. The Migration Policy Institute website http://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/2007_05_18.php does a good job in giving a global perspective on the issue. Who are the winners and losers? Winners - Immigrants with skills, English abilities and education Losers - Immigrants with low skills, poor English abilities and poor education Employers might not like this proposal as it takes away their control of the process, ie, who they want to employ and puts the decisions in a centralized system. People with extended families might not like this proposal because the preference for families, primarily nuclear families are embedded in the point system and do not have a separate category like the present system. People who want a bigger say in who gets into this country will like this system because it puts a premium on skills and other criteria deemed important. One thing we have to watch out for is that we do not get boxed into a rigid system. The Toronto Star reported that the point system brought high skilled people to Canada but could not get them jobs. Many high skilled immigrants are thus under employed. Consequently Ontario is pushing for a system where they could bring in more workers more fine tuned to the current needs of the region. Ultimately this is the question of the American identity - should we have an open immigrant system like the days of old or should we control it according to some value system or the capacity of our economy to absorb the immigrants? This is not an easy answer - but one way or the other we need comprehensive immigration reform that is open, flexible, fits in with the traditions of this country and considers the capacity of the country to present meaningful opportunities to the immigrants searching for a better life.

Latest Data show Immigration Benefits MN Cities

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Latest Census data show many Minnesota Cities and Counties benefited from Immigration. Among the Metropolitan areas facing negative internal migration and being positively impacted by net interntational immigration are the MSP metro area and the Grand Forks - Fargo Metro Area. Among the Micropolitan areas facing negative internal migration rates and being positively impacted by net international migration are: Albert Lea, Austin, Fairmont, Marshall, New Ulm, Wahpeton, Willmar, Winnona and Worthington. To see the data please visit http://ethnictrends.info/Market%20Research.html

Latest Data show Immigration Benefits Austin

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD Professor of Economics Concordia University-St. Paul corrie@csp.edu Latest Census data show that Austin lost 1241 people due to internal migration during the period 2000 and 2006. However international immigration increased Austin's population by 640. Latest Census data reveals that cities all across the United States are benefiting from the inflow of immigrants to compensate population decline due to natural reasons as well as migration to other cities. In the case of Austin, the net addition to Austin's population during the same period due to natural reasons, ie, birth and deaths was 796. Net migration out of Austin was 601. Net international immigration was 640. For more information please see the Census Report: http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/CBSA-est2006-comp-chg.html

$50 Billion Tax Payments from ITIN (Illegal Workers)

Today's WSJ reported that illegal workers in the United States are required to pay taxes and are given an ITIN number. I found a testimony of IRS Commissioner Everson to the House Ways and Means committee where he provides more details around the WSJ article. He thinks that most of these payments are from the undocumented workers (see link above). Today's WSJ gave an example of a tax filing of Pablo Espinoza a welder earning $42,000 and an illegal worker. "Last year, $1,464.88 in Social Security and $342.60 in Medicare were deducted from Mr. Espinoza's wages. His wife paid several hundred dollars in Social Security and Medicare, too. In addition, $3,508 in federal taxes was withheld from their combined salaries. Mrs. Castillo figures they will get a $3,462 refund from the IRS, putting their total federal tax bill at $46." Note while he can get a refund - he is a net contributor to Social Security and Medicare. In his testimony to Congress - IRS Commissioner Everson was making a case for comprehensive reform. WSJ reference http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117564081607858869.html?mod=hps_us_editors_picks

MN Trade Mission to India

Minnesota Governor Announces Trade Mission to India in October, 2007

31 January 2007

Saint Paul, MN: Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced that he will lead a delegation of Minnesota business executives on a trade mission to India in October to explore trade and investment opportunities and make inroads with key Indian and U.S. business organizations.

“Strong economic growth is unleashing a wave of demand in India. From consumer goods to professional services, high-tech to health care, machinery to processed foods – the prospects are abundant,” Governor Pawlenty said. “It’s important that we make these connections firsthand.”

The 30-member delegation will travel to New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai October 20-27, 2007 for a series of market and industry presentations, networking events, roundtable discussions and one-on-one business events with potential Indian customers, distributors and partners.

India’s gross domestic product grew an average 7 percent per year between 1994 and 2004 and recently has tracked at nearly 9 percent. U.S. manufactured exports to India reached $6.8 billion in 2005, an increase of 111 percent since 2000. Minnesota’s manufactured exports to India grew 208 percent to $85 million over the same period.

Promising sectors include computers and electronics, machinery, medical products, biotechnology, and food processing. In addition, Indian companies have ambitious plans for expanding and diversifying manufacturing activities, particularly in the automobile, auto parts, metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and electronics industries, creating opportunities for Minnesota suppliers.

At a press conference announcing the trade mission, Governor Pawlenty acknowledged the role that the local Asian Indian community played in the development of the trade mission to India. “I want to acknowledge local Asian Indian leaders present, my Chief Information Officer Gopal Khanna, State Senator Satveer Chaudhary, leading entrepreneur Mahendra Nath and Professsor Bruce Corrie of Concordia University,” Governor Pawlenty said.

The local Asian Indian community applauded the decision to lead a trade mission to India. A group of Asian Indian leaders and community members proposed a plan for a trade mission to India at the request of the Governor two years ago.

Minnesota is among the top ten states in the US in the rate of growth of exports to India. Between 2000 and 2005 exports grew over 200 percent.

Minnesota Public Radio story: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/30/india/

TV: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=240655

Official Package on the Mission: www.deed.state.mn.us

Contributions of Asian Indians to MN; http://ethnictrends.info/Market%20Research.html

Minnesota Exports to India: http://ethnictrends.info/Market%20Research.html

For more information relating to the Asian Indian community please contact Dr. Bruce Corrie, Professor of Economics at Concordia University at 651 641 8226 or corrie@csp.edu.

For more information on the Governor Pawlenty’s Trade Mission please contact the individuals below:

Contact Tony Lorusso, Executive Director, Minnesota Trade Office

Phone: 651-297-4657 Fax: 651-296-3555

E-mail: tony.lorusso@state.mn.us

OR

Contact Jodi Boerner, International Trade Representative, Minnesota Trade Office

Phone: 651-297-4646 Fax: 651-296-3555

E-mail: jodi.boerner@state.mn.us

Impact of California 209 on Minority Firms

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD A recent study evaluates the the impact of Proposition 209, the California Civil Rights Initiative, in 1996 which ended programs to provide greater access and use of minority firms in public projects.

In 2006, the Discrimination Research Center (DRC) issued a report on the impact of Proposition 209, the California Civil Rights Initiative that ended race-conscious goals and affirmative action programs on minority businesses. Major findings of the report were:

1. Only a third of the certified MBEs in California’s transportation construction industry are in business now.
2. Existing MBEs reported a greater than 50 percent reduction of total awards and contracts from Caltrans.
3. MBEs reported that the aspects of the federal race conscious efforts such good faith efforts by prime contractors and pre-bidding conferences were less helpful after 1996.
4. Among the surviving firms, African American and minority female owned firms were the most negatively impacted.
5. The surviving MBEs could not have initially succeeded or maintained their success without the incentives that helped provided them equal access to bids. http://drcenter.org/studies/free_to_compete_06.pdf

Abraham Lincoln's Answer to the Immigration Question

......visit www.ethnictrends.info for data on the ethnic markets.... Abraham Lincoln had an answer to the great American immigration question: Who is the true immigrant? Do people coming from Asia, Latin America and Africa have the same qualities as the Founding Fathers? In a speech on July 10, 1858, Lincoln talked about the Founding Fathers:

“We find a race of men living in that day whom we claim as our fathers and grandfathers; they were iron men, they fought for the principle that they were contending for; and we understood that by what they then did it has followed that the degree of prosperity that we now enjoy has come to us.”

He goes on to pose the question whether the newer immigrants from Europe were connected to the Founding Fathers. He said if we were to look for a connection by blood we would not find a connection.

However - here is where they will find the connection:

"..but when they look through that old Declaration of Independence they find that those old men say that 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,' and then they feel that that moral sentiment taught in that day evidences their relation to those men, that it is the father of all moral principle in them, and that they have a right to claim it as through they were blood of the blood, and flesh of the men who wrote that Declaration, (loud and long continued applause) and so they are.

That is the electric cord in that Declaration that links the hearts of patriotic and liberty-loving men together, that will link those patriotic hearts as long as the love of freedom exists in the minds of men throughout the world. [Applause.]

President Abraham Lincoln, speech on July 10, 1858.

So new immigrants to America if anyone doubts your authenticity and links to the Founding Fathers - let them raise the issue with President Abraham Lincoln when they see him next. You could also give them a copy of the Declaration . Note Lincoln's only criteria was the moral sentiment that is contained in the Declaration.....

An article in the Wall Street Journal by Peggy Noonan pointed out this speech of Lincoln which I found and excerpted above. See Below for the larger excerpt of the speech as well as an excerpt of the Declaration.

We are now a mighty nation, we are thirty — or about thirty millions of people, and we own and inhabit about one-fifteenth part of the dry land of the whole earth. We run our memory back over the pages of history for about eighty-two years and we discover that we were then a very small people in point of numbers, vastly inferior to what we are now, with a vastly less extent of country, — with vastly less of everything we deem desirable among men, — we look upon the change as exceedingly advantageous to us and to our prosperity, and we fix upon something that happened away back, as in some way or other being connected with this rise of prosperity. We find a race of men living in that day whom we claim as our fathers and grandfathers; they were iron men, they fought for the principle that they were contending for; and we understood that by what they then did it has followed that the degree of prosperity that we now enjoy has come to us. We hold this annual celebration to remind ourselves of all the good done in this process of time of how it was done and who did it, and how we are historically connected with it; and we go from these meetings in better humor with ourselves — we feel more attached the one to the other, and more firmly bound to the country we inhabit. In every way we are better than men in the age and race, and country in which we live for these celebrations. But after we have done all this we have not yet reached the whole. There is something else connected with it. We have besides these men-descended by blood from our ancestors — among us perhaps half our people who are not descendants at all of these men, they are men who have come from Europe — German, Irish, French and Scandinavian — men that have come from Europe themselves, or whose ancestors have come hither and settled here, finding themselves our equals in all things. If they look back through this history to trace their connection with those days by blood, they find they have none, they cannot carry themselves back into that glorious epoch and make themselves feel that they are part of us, but when they look through that old Declaration of Independence they find that those old men say that 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,' and then they feel that that moral sentiment taught in that day evidences their relation to those men, that it is the father of all moral principle in them, and that they have a right to claim it as through they were blood of the blood, and flesh of the men who wrote that Declaration, (loud and long continued applause) and so they are. That is the electric cord in that Declaration that links the hearts of patriotic and liberty-loving men together, that will link those patriotic hearts as long as the love of freedom exists in the minds of men throughout the world. [Applause.] http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/inside.asp?ID=19&subjectID=2 Excerpts of the Declaration of Independence as found in www.archives.gov

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

---

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Website on Dynamic Power of Ethnic Capital

At the website, www.ethnictrends.info you will find a comprehensive overview of the dynamic power of ethnic capital in five major areas:

• Ethnic Consumers
• Ethnic Firms
• Ethnic Workers
• Ethnic Tax Base
• Cultural Capital
• Global Networks

You will also find links to important data on immigrants and minorities in Minnesota and data on ethnic capital in the above areas.

Also in the site are links to ethnic media and non profit resources.

Take the Minority Political Visibility Poll

Are Minority Priorities Visible in the Policy Platforms of Candidates for Senate, Congress, Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State in Minnesota?

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Minority Political Summit

Are Candidates for Public Office Listening? 2006 MINORITY POLITICAL SUMMIT Defining Policy Priorities of Minority Communities in Minnesota Why: Minority issues are largely invisible in the current election platforms of candidates for statewide offices: Governor, Senate, House, Secretary of State, Attorney General. WHEN: MONDAY OCTOBER 2, 2006, 3:30 – 6 PM WHERE: COWLES AUDITORIUM, HUMPHREY INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WHO: MINORITY EXPERTS IN VARIOUS FIELDS FROM PRE-K TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, MINORITY COMMUNITY LEADERS WHAT: PRESENTATION OF TOP POLICY PRIORITES FOR MINORITY COMMUNITIES FOR INTEGRATION INTO POLICY DEBATES IN MINNESOTA How: Input from community leaders and public at the event will be synthesized into a public document and distributed to the campaigns. Political campaigns and candidates will be encouraged to attend the event. Minority community leaders and community members are invited to attend and/or send in their policy priorities to corrie@csp.edu before September 28th in order to be included in the materials for the program. COST: FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Program: 3:30 to 5 pm (Invited speakers) 5 to 5:30 pm Open microphone. 5:30 to 6 pm Next Steps. Co-Sponsors: Asian American Press, Asian Pages, Conversations with Al McFarlane, Latino Communication Network Media (La Prensa de Minnesota, Gente de Minnesota), Hmong Times, Insight News, Mshale, Minnesota Multicultural Media Coalition, Africa News Journal. CONTACT: Lawrencina Mason Oramalu – 612 626 8734 loramalu@umn.edu Dr. Bruce Corrie – 651 641 8226 corrie@csp.edu For Updates: www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/wilkins ethnictrends.blogspot.com

Research Shows Supplier Diversity Good for the Bottom Line

The following are excerpts from www.thehackettgroup.com report of results on supplier diversity programs that was also reported in the Wall Street Journal on August 2. Increasing the reliance on women- and minority-owned businesses as suppliers does not cost leading procurement organizations more, according to new research from The Hackett Group, a strategic advisory firm and an Answerthink company (NASDAQ: ANSR). In fact, some cutting-edge companies find quite the opposite is true, and are finding ways to use supplier diversity to drive new sources of revenue. Hackett's research shows that world-class procurement organizations which focus heavily on supplier diversity don't sacrifice procurement savings to do so. In addition, these leading procurement organizations have slightly higher adoption rates of supplier diversity programs as typical companies, yet are able to generate 133%percent greater return on the cost of procurement operations than average performers, driving an additional $3.6 million to their company's bottom line for every $1 million in procurement operations costs.

The Premium for Learning English in the USA

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Here is a number to help policy makers understand why people all over the world want to study English. All over the world, including the USA, there is a strong economic reason to become fluent in English. The difference in earnings between people who speak English very well versus those who do not speak English at all is an estimated $24,000. English language learners get it – why don’t our policy makers? (Data estimated from a recent study by Sum et. al. (2004) of the ETS on the human capital of immigrants in the USA)

Rapid Growth in American Indian Firms in MN

Bruce P. Corrie PhD, corrie@csp.edu According to the Economic Census 2002, there were 2742 American Indian and Alaskan Native firms in Minnesota with 318 million in receipts. 487 of these firms had paid employees with $ 282 million dollars in receipts, employing 3676 people with 90 million dollars in payroll. Minnesota ranked 13th in the nation for growth in numbers of American Indian and Alaskan Native firms. In 1997 only 4 Minnesotan counties had 100 or more American Indian and Alaskan Native firms, the 2002 Census lists 8 Counties, 5 of which the Census provides data: Becker, Beltrami, Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. For the first time, Minneapolis and Saint Paul appear as cities within Minnesota with 100 or more American Indian and Alaskan Native firms: 254 firms in Minneapolis and 120 firms in Saint Paul. American Indian and Alaskan Native firms had almost 40 percent growth of firms with paid employees, 60 percent growth in employees and 60 percent growth in payroll between 1997-2002.

Asian Owned Firms Grow Rapidly in MN

Asian Owned Firms Grew Rapidly in MN Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu According to the latest data from the Economic Census Asian owned firms grew 44 percent compared to the overall growth rate of 8 percent in Minnesota. Minnesota ranked 8th in the nation for the growth in Asian owned firms. Since 1997 Apple Valley, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Oakdale and Woodbury were new cities with 100 or more Asian owned firms were located. Other cities were Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, Plymouth, Richfield, Rochester, Roseville and Saint Paul. There were 8 counties with a significant presence of Asian owned firms: Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Scott, Stearns and Washington. Within ethnic groups, the largest number of Asian American firms with paid employees were Chinese, followed by Asian Indian and Vietnamese. No data was reported for Hmong firms which was unfortunate as we need a credible count of Hmong firms in Minnesota. The other surprise was a large increase in Filipino firms which from casual observation might be in part, an estimation error.

Mexican American Workers in MN Industries

Mexican American Workers in MN by Industry, 2000 Bruce P. Corrie, PhD Professor of Economics Concordia University-St. Paul. In 11 broad industry categories in Minnesota there were at least a 1000 workers who classified themselves “Mexican” for their ethnic heritage in Census 2000. The highest number of workers were found in manufacturing (11,475), followed by arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (6338), professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management services (4171), educational, health and social services (3835), retail trade (3250), health care and social assistance (2445), finance, insurance, real estate and rental and leasing (1544), wholesale trade (1298), transportation and warehousing and utilities (1279), and other services except public administration (1542). There were 39441 Mexican American workers making up 1.5 percent of all workers in Minnesota. In the Food industry they made up 9.5 percent of the workers. For more detailed data please contact corrie@csp.edu.

Immigrant Workers in MN

Immigrant Workers in Minnesota Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu As we remember the contributions of immigrant workers in Minnesota on May 1, the data (Census 2000 EEO data) below provides percentages of Asian and Hispanic workers in occupational categories where Asian and Hispanic/Latino workers make up at least 5 percent of the workforces. Most Asian and Hispanic/Latino workers are foreign born. The data indicates strong presence of these workers in both the high skilled as well as low skilled occupations in Minnesota. For other data and updates on the immigration debate please see my blog: http://ethnictrends.blogspot.com/ Occupation Category Percent Asian/Hispanic Total Civilian Labor Force (Asian and Hispanic Workers) 4.62 Miscellaneous Personal Appearance Workers 33.58 Miscellaneous Media and Communication Workers 32.20 Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other 30.53 Butchers and Other Meat, Poultry, and Fish Processing Workers 28.73 Medical Scientists 28.16 Derrick, Rotary Drill, and Service Unit Operators, and Roustabouts, Oil, Gas, and Mining 26.67 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders 25.71 Other Metalworkers and Plastic Workers, Including Milling, Planing, and Multiple Machine Tool Operators 20.34 Physical Scientists, All Other 20.17 Astronomers and Physicists 19.44 Fence Erectors 18.97 Electrical, Electronics, and Electromechanical Assemblers 18.25 Roofers 17.58 Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators 16.67 Dishwashers 16.62 Food Batchmakers 15.25 Cooks 14.49 Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products 13.27 Computer Software Engineers 13.23 Chemical Engineers 12.82 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders 12.66 Chefs and Head Cooks 12.32 Food Preparation Workers 11.90 Office Machine Operators, Except Computer 11.72 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants, Bartender Helpers, and Miscellaneous Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers 11.46 Bakers 10.80 Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 10.74 Physicians and Surgeons 10.47 Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 10.22 Postsecondary Teachers 10.21 Engine and Other Machine Assemblers 10.17 Computer Programmers 9.62 Cargo and Freight Agents 9.50 Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 9.36 Gaming Services Workers 8.96 Dancers and Choreographers 8.92 Biological Technicians 8.82 Computer Scientists and Systems Analysts 8.68 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters 8.54 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 8.51 Economists 8.44 Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other 8.40 Computer Hardware Engineers 8.38 Database Administrators 8.30 Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 8.09 Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service 7.93 Financial Analysts 7.89 Fishing and Hunting Workers 7.74 Food Service Managers 7.67 Janitors and Building Cleaners 7.54 Geological and Petroleum Technicians 7.41 Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians 7.29 Lay-Out Workers, Metal and Plastic 7.27 Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Industrial, Utility, and Transportation Equipment 7.14 Miscellaneous Agricultural Workers, Including Animal Breeders 7.13 Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers 7.05 Miscellaneous Engineers, Including Agricultural and Biomedical 6.92 First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers 6.90 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 6.82 Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes 6.80 Other Business Operations Specialists 6.78 Miscellaneous Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, Including Social Science Research Assistants and Nuclear Technicians 6.65 Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping 6.56 Lodging Managers 6.50 Information and Record Clerks, All Other 6.46 Grounds Maintenance Workers 6.40 Market and Survey Researchers 6.40 Locksmiths and Safe Repairers 6.25 Physician Assistants 6.16 Dentists 6.15 Cashiers 6.03 Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop 6.02 Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks 5.96 Glaziers 5.92 Painters, Construction and Maintenance 5.91 Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food 5.91 Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop 5.84 Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers 5.77 Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners 5.76 Machinists 5.70 Agricultural and Food Scientists 5.70 Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators 5.70 Electrical and Electronics Engineers 5.64 Molders and Molding Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 5.64 Waiters and Waitresses 5.62 Telemarketers 5.59 Financial Specialists, All Other 5.58 Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts 5.52 First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Personal Service Workers 5.45 Chemical Technicians 5.35 Natural Sciences Managers 5.27 First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 5.22 Counter and Rental Clerks 5.18 Biological Scientists 5.15 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 5.08 Industrial Engineers, Including Health and Safety 5.08 Network and Computer Systems Administrators 5.05 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers 5.05 Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers 5.01 Helpers, Construction Trades 4.96

Rapid Growth of Black Firms in MN

Rapid Growth of Black firms in MN Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu According to latest data released by the Economic Census today, Black firms expanded rapidly in Minnesota. The number of Black firms increased by 95 percent in Minnesota during the period 1997-2002 and ranked 3rd in the nation in terms of growth of black firms. In Minnesota, Black firms in Minneapolis grew 123 percent from 1373 firms in 1997 to 3068 firms in 2002. There was an outward movement of Black firms from the Twin Cities to areas such as Brooklyn Park, Eagan and Hopkins and from Hennepin county and Ramsey county to Dakota county, Anoka county and Washington County. In Minnesota there were 7837 Black firms with 682 million in sales employing 4990 people with an annual payroll of 183 million dollars. For updates please see my blog http://ethnictrends.blogspot.com/

Immigrant Rally April 9th

Immigrant Rally April 9th Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu On my way to the rally it already became clear that it was going to be a massive one as I saw the traffic clogged up on the freeway and people walking towards the Capitol from as far as Dale Street. As the crowd made its way to the Capitol the entire stretch of road into the Capitol from across the freeway was filled with a mass of humanity with banners and drums. I was glad to see a multiethnic turnout including a small group representing Korean Americans. As I walked through the crowds from places like Saint Cloud the thought struck me that the average age of the crowd was around 25 – a significant policy implication for Minnesota. This segment is going to be Minnesota’s prime workforce in the future as well as some of the people in the prime tax base. In Minnesota as in the nation we are also beginning to see the silent invisible worker coming out in angry defiance. My inspiration from the people of the rally was dampened by the thought that I have yet to see a comprehensive policy response from our political representatives here at Minnesota and in Washington.

An African Perspective on Immigration

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Sometimes it helps to have a global perspective on our challenges else we end up ”falling in love with our sad luck story”…this data is particularly relevant to people who complain about the “costs” of immigrants. Below is data of the number of “refugees” accepted into a country in relation to the per capita GDP of countries. Africa shines! North America Per capita GDP: $38,256 Refugees: 853,300 Africa Per capita GDP: $879 Refugees: 4,861,400 Europe Per capita GDP: $19,423 Refugees: 4,429,900 Asia Per capita GDP: $2,549 Refugees: 6,899,600 Oceania Per capita GDP: $22,251 Refugees: 82,400 Latin America & Caribbean Per capita GDP: $3,576 Refugees: 2,070,800 Source: http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/2005_gdp_eng.pdf

MN Companies in Mexico

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Below are are a few MN companies with branches in Mexico. We know there are many more that operate out of Minnesota. If you know of any more please send me their names. I will post them on the blog. It will help Minnesotans see our many connections with Mexico. Our exports to Mexico according to the latest data from DEED is more than 500 million dollars. 3 M, ADC Telecommunications, Bemis Companies, Cargill, Carlson Companies, Donaldson Company, Ecolab, Ecowater Systems, H. B. Fuller, Honeywell International, Imation, Kroll, Land O Lakes, MTS System Corporation, Osmonics, Pentair, Radisson Hotels International, Red Wing Shoe, C. H. Robinson Worldwide, Saint Paul Travelers, Starkey Laboratories, Telex Communications, Thermo Ramsey. Source: Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, 17th Edition

Rapid Growth of Latino Firms in Minneapolis

Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Latino firms grew 67 percent during the five year period 1997-2002 in Minneapolis compared to 8 percent growth for all firms statewide. Latino sales grew by 188 percent and employees of Latino owned firms grew 238 percent during this time period. One just has to walk down Lake Street to witness Latino entrepreneurship at its best. Minnesota's policymakers take note of your immigrant capital ! Here are some of the numbers: Firms: 1997 360 firms 2002 602 firms Sales: 1997 29 million 2002 85 million Firms with employees: 1997 70 2002 132 Employees: 1997 434 2002 1467 Source: Economic Census, 2002

Latest Data on Latino Firms in MN, 2002

Latest Data on Latino Firms, 2002 Bruce P. Corrie, PhD corrie@csp.edu Economic Census, 2002 data released today show the following top businesses ranked by number of firms: Health care and social assistance (689), Professional, scientific and technical services (594), Construction (495), Retail trade (406) and Administration and Support and waste management and remediation services (273). Mexican Americans continue to be the largest number of Latino firms with 1908 firms and 277 million dollars in sales. Other Spanish/Latino/Hispanic firms were the next largest with 1692 firms and 155 million dollars in sales According to the Economic Census 2002, there were 3988 Hispanic firms in Minnesota with 462 million in receipts. 643 of these firms had employees with 361 million dollars in receipts, employing 4596 people with 97 million dollars in payroll.