SANTA FE, January 10 – The city of Santa Fe has been selected by the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America as a 2023 recipient of the Gateways for Growth (G4G) grant, which aims to help deploy inclusive economic research and multi-sector welcoming plans for immigrants in the awardee's community. Santa Fe is one of 8 other local communities nationwide selected for the 2023 G4G cohort and joins a network of more than 70 localities across 35 states participating in the initiative. 

The competitive G4G grant provides funding for communities to receive research support, technical assistance, and/or matching grant funds to improve immigrant inclusion in their communities. The City's Office of Economic Development and Somos Un Pueblo Unido, an immigrant worker center and long-standing partner of the City, have pledged funds to match the G4G grant. 

"This grant recognizes that Santa Fe is an inclusive community that cares for all our people," said Mayor Alan Webber. "Immigrants contribute to this city every day, in ways large and small. Working with Somos, we'll continue to celebrate diversity, and make Santa Fe a place where everyone is welcome and families can thrive."

"Santa Fe has a decades-long track record of innovating policies and programs that integrate the growing immigrant community. The Gateways for Growth Challenge is a logical and exciting next step," said Marcela Díaz, Executive Director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido. "An inclusive economy requires workforce development opportunities and high road jobs for all workers. When immigrants, who are already essential to our local economy, take part in creating the City's long-term economic development strategy, all Santa Feans benefit."

The Office of Economic Development applied for all three areas of the G4G grant in order to conduct research and planning – in conjunction with community stakeholders – on Santa Fe immigrants' economic contributions, roles in the labor force, demographic trends for the city and county, and where potential workforce development and business development investments might have the biggest impact on the local economy. The findings will support a yearlong economic strategic planning process specifically relating to the integration of immigrants and augment the Community and Economic Development Department's 2023 update of its general Economic Development Strategic Plan. 

This year's awardees, alongside Santa Fe, include: 

• Brockton, Massachusetts 
• Fort Wayne, Indiana 
• North Shore Region, Massachusetts 
• Ottawa County, Michigan 
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 
• Portland and Southern Region, Maine 
• Santa Clara County, California 
• Santa Fe, New Mexico 
• South Bend and Michiana Region, Indiana