FOX Illinois: New study shows immigrants contribute $1.4B to Champaign County’s economy

Immigrants make a big difference in Champaign County, that’s according to a new study city leaders and community members gathered to discuss Wednesday.

New American Economy and the University YMCA New American Welcome Center released the data report that highlights the contributions of immigrants to the county’s population, labor force and economy. According to the data, in 2016 immigrants in Champaign County contributed $1.4 billion to the area’s GDP.

“The hope is to use this information to do meaningful and collaborative work in our community,” Champaign mayor Deborah Frank Feinen said. “Whether it’d be a social service agency, a governmental agency, local businesses or maybe even a school district, these numbers help us adapt our community to better serve the people who are living here.”

Watch the full report from FOX Illinois: “New study shows immigrants contribute $1.4B to Champaign County’s economy”