City of St. Louis Selected for Gateways for Growth, National Program to Support Immigrant Inclusion and Growth

ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis has been selected to be part of the Gateways for Growth (G4G) program through the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America, two national nonprofits working to support immigrant inclusion in communities across the country.

As part of G4G Round VI, the City will receive tailored research briefs, customized technical assistance and participation in a community of practice with the intention of deepening the cultivation of international communities' inclusion in every aspect of the future of St. Louis; a key part of one of Mayor Cara Spencer’s top priorities of driving inclusive growth.

In being selected for the 2026 GRG cohort, St. Louis joins a network of more than 75 communities that have participated in the initiative since it launched in 2016. This comes after the city and region have seen significant success in attracting foreign-born residents.

“One of the best things about St. Louis is that we are a community made up of people and cultures from all over the world,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “St. Louis has a rich immigrant history that continues to make our city a more interesting and prosperous place. I look forward to using this opportunity to support and grow our foreign-born community even more.”

In 2023, the St. Louis metropolitan area had the highest percentage increase in the foreign-born population in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, as the number of foreign-born residents grew from 129,604 in 2022 to 159,710 in 2023, representing a 23.2% increase.

"Joining the Gateways for Growth Round VI cohort is a testament to St. Louis' commitment to being a world-class home for global talent and continuing to promote that we are a welcoming city,” said Gilberto Pinela, director of the City’s Office of New Americans. “This program allows us to use data to tell the powerful story of our foreign-born neighbors, ensuring that their economic and cultural contributions remain at the heart of our region’s growth through 2030 and beyond."

G4G brings together leaders across multiple sectors — including government, business, nonprofit, faith, and education — to develop strategies that benefit all residents. Participating communities receive tailored support from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America throughout the program.

“For nearly a decade, the Gateways for Growth Challenge has helped local communities quantify the impact of their immigrant populations and invest in welcoming policies and programs. We are excited to work with the new cohort in creating opportunities for all residents,” said Rich André, Director of State and Local Initiatives at the American Immigration Council.

"Each community in this cohort is stepping up to lead on welcoming," said Molly Hilligoss, senior network director of Welcoming America. "They're creating the conditions where everyone, including immigrants, can contribute and thrive."

For more information about Gateways for Growth, visit gatewaysforgrowth.org.

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