Nearly a quarter of the population growth in Allen County from 2014 to 2019 was due to immigration.
While immigrants make up roughly 6.8 percent of the county’s population, nearly 9 percent of the county’s workforce is made up of immigrants.
That is according to a new report from the American Immigration Council. That report was put together in partnership with Amani Family Services, Downtown Fort Wayne, and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. as part of the Gateways for Growth Challenge.
Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. chief economic development officer Ellen Cutter says that the presence of newcomers within the community has helped the area build a nationally-recognized economy.
Immigrants to Allen County are largely coming from Mexico at nearly 24 percent, as well as Myanmar with just over 17 percent.
Most are working in manufacturing and construction, according to the report.
Released earlier in the week, the report is making the rounds among Allen County organizations and leaders.
The report was unveiled Monday at the Allen County Public Library as part of Welcoming Week, then on Friday for the Welcoming Fort Wayne awards by Amani Family Services.
Greater Fort Wayne will be utilizing the data at its Economic Development Summit on Wednesday.
