Recognizing March 25th through March 29th, 2019 as the third Immigrant Business Week in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Immigrant Business Week, was created as a collaboration between the Department of Commerce and the Office of Immigrant Affairs, which offers diverse small business owners resources to thrive in Philadelphia. Through workshops and other events, Immigrant Business Week provides entrepreneurs with support while celebrating and commending the ongoing contributions of immigrants and immigrant businesses throughout the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Ever since the founding of the City of Philadelphia in 1682, the economy, culture, and community have flourished by virtue of its vast immigrant population throughout the City; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia, the 6th largest city in the United States of America, and one of the most rapidly growing counties in the region, has had its population growth vastly improved by immigration into the City; and

WHEREAS, As of 2016, the City of Philadelphia had more than 232,000 residents who were born abroad, an increase of 69% since the year 2000, representing nearly 15% of all City residents, and 19% of all workers in the City. From 2000-2016, the immigrant population in the workforce increased by around 66,000 employees or 89%, greatly impacting the productivity of the City; and

WHEREAS, In the Philadelphia metropolitan area, immigrants paid $6.6 billion in total taxes and held $17.4 billion in spending power in 2016, and with 47,013 immigrant entrepreneurs in the metro area, immigrants are 56.6% more likely to be entrepreneurs than native-born residents; and

WHEREAS, During this week the Department of Commerce and the Office of Immigrant Affairs, brings together these entrepreneurs to support and promote their businesses. This year Immigrant Business Week will be recognized in the City of Philadelphia beginning March 25th through March 29th; and

WHEREAS, Immigrant Business Week will feature a number of events including educational workshops and opportunities for networking, resource sharing, and promotion, starting off with a launch ceremony on Monday, March 25, 2019 at The Exchange located at 6434 Castor Avenue; and

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby proclaim March 25th through March 29th, 2019 as the third Immigrant Business Week in the City of Philadelphia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

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