Syracuse Post-Standard: “Immigrants boosting the economies of Syracuse and Buffalo: study”

Immigrants are driving economic growth in Syracuse and Buffalo by regenerating the population, providing employers with needed labor and starting small businesses, according a new study.

Immigrants contribute more than $2 billion in combined spending power in the greater Syracuse and Buffalo metropolitan areas, according to the study, conducted by New American Economy for CenterState CEO and the International Institute of Buffalo.

“In Buffalo and Syracuse, the growing foreign-born community is contributing to the local economy in important, yet distinct, ways,” the study said. “In both metros, the immigrant population is diverse, has long-standing ties to the community and is highly entrepreneurial.”

The study is being released at a time when there is much debate surrounding the issue of immigration. President Donald Trump has attempted to restrict immigration from seven Muslin-majority countries and has ordered increased enforcement of immigration laws against people who have entered the country illegally.

However, Dominic Robinson, vice president of economic inclusion at CenterState CEO, a Syracuse-based economic development organization, said the study was not related to Trump’s policies. The decision to conduct the study was made a year ago to show the economic benefits of immigration to Upstate cities, he said.

Read the full story from Syracuse Post-Standard: “Immigrants boosting the economies of Syracuse and Buffalo: study”