The International Institute of Akron has won a $12,500 matching grant to help make Akron and Summit County more welcoming to immigrants and refugees.
The Akron community is one of five nationwide to receive money through the Gateway for Growth Challenge, an effort by the Partnership for a New American Economy Research Fund and Welcoming America.
The grant, which is being announced Tuesday morning, will be used to develop local policies and initiatives.
“More and more communities in the United States are being shaped by immigration and refugees,” said Elizabeth Walters, community outreach coordinator at the institute.
She said that immigrants and refugees are helping to revitalize neighborhoods, add vitality to business corridors and enrich communities with diversity.
Summit County has seen the number of immigrants climb over the last five years. Last year, 1,155 immigrants moved into the county, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Many of them start living in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood, where the International Institute is located.
Akron, Summit County, Global Ties Akron and ASIA Inc. are partnering with the institute on the effort.
The city, county, Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation and the Akron Community Foundation have pledged money toward the matching grant.
A group co-chaired by County Executive Russ Pry and Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan is expected to start the planning process next month.
“Our community has always welcomed new cultures, along with their businesses, community involvement and rich traditions,” Pry said in a prepared statement.
In addition to Akron, the following communities received grants or some other assistance through the program: Anchorage, Alaska; Birmingham, Ala.; Brownsville, Texas; Columbus; Detroit; Fargo, N.D.; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Lancaster, Pa.; Los Angeles; Macomb County, Mich.; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; Phoenix, Ariz.; Pittsburgh; San Jose, Calif.; Salt Lake County, Utah; and Upstate New York (Syracuse/Buffalo).
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.