Welcoming Nashville: Perspectives and Trends (Executive Summary)

As Nashville became a more diverse and international city, it experienced major economic gains and garnered a reputation for creativity and innovation. The national nonprofit Welcoming America, in partnership with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Research Center, conducted a survey of some 200 local business and community leaders to determine their views on the relationship between Nashville's vibrancy and its policies in support of immigrant integration. This executive summary of the survey results entitled, Welcoming Nashville: Perspectives and Trends, found that Nashville's competitive regional success in business and tangible economic gains across the city and in various sectors relied on welcoming immigrant workers, entrepreneurs, and their diverse knowledge while eliminating exclusionary "English Only" policies.  Significantly, over 80 percent of those interviewed felt that immigrants helped businesses reach a more global audience and 70 percent believed immigrants helped make Nashville a more innovative and productive economy. The report concludes with recommendations to continue fostering a welcoming climate for immigrants, including encouraging mainstream organizations to develop programs to meet the unique needs and cultural backgrounds of immigrants and their children.

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