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an hour ago
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Detroit's population is growing − a strategy to welcome immigrants helps explain the turnaround
A section of Detroit's northeast side has a significant immigrant community. | Ken Coleman By Paul N. McDaniel, Kennesaw State University and Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez, Kennesaw State University Detroit's population grew in 2024 for the second year in a row. This is a remarkable comeback after decades of population decline in the Motor City. What explains the turnaround? One factor may be Detroit's efforts to attract and settle immigrants. These efforts continue despite a dramatic national shift in tone toward new arrivals. This includes executive orders from the second Trump administration targeting immigrant communities, international students and their universities, and cities in which immigrants live. We study urban geography and immigrant integration. Despite these federal policy shifts, our own research and that of others has found that local leaders in cities across the U.S. are actively working to bring immigrants in and help them become part of local communities, generally for economic reasons. Our recent publications on immigrant integration and immigrant community engagement show how and why cities adapt to changes in their population and economies. Detroit and other former immigrant gateway metro areas such as Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri experienced significant immigration in the early 20th century. These population booms were followed by a period of decline in immigration numbers. Now these cities are using branding strategies to construct inclusive identities designed to attract and retain immigrants. It may be surprising to think of a city branding itself, but local governments often work with private nonprofits to shape and manage their city's image. They try to build a unique and desirable identity for the city, differentiate it from competitors, and attract new businesses, residents and tourists this way. Here are three reasons why Detroit and other cities want to welcome immigrants: Immigration has a positive impact on the economy, research shows. Local leaders in Detroit recognize that in a global economy, a thriving industrial sector and robust labor market are linked to the contributions of immigrant communities. They also understand that the growth of these communities brings positive economic ripple effects. Immigrants are more likely than the general population to own their own businesses. Organizations such as Global Detroit encourage entrepreneurship through programs such as the Global Talent Retention Initiative, Global Talent Accelerator and Global Entrepreneur in Residence and provide resources for small businesses. Immigrants also fill labor needs, from high-tech fields such as engineering and research to manual labor sectors such as construction and food service. The City of Detroit Office of Immigrant Affairs promotes economic development and immigrant integration through education, English as a second language programs, economic empowerment and community resources. These efforts are paying off by attracting immigrants to the city. This economic impact extends to tourism as well. The region's marketing campaigns embracing diversity shape how visitors perceive the region. The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau spotlights the unique experiences the city's diverse neighborhoods offer to tourists. Regional resilience describes a region's ability to withstand and adapt to challenges such as economic shocks and natural disasters. Cities like Detroit that are still trying to bounce back from deindustrialization know from experience how critical this is. Immigration contributes to regional resilience, research shows. In addition to supporting local economies and strengthening the labor force, the arrival of immigrants in Detroit has helped offset native-born population decline, stabilizing the overall population and bolstering local tax bases. According to our analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area grew by 1.2%, from a total population of 4,291,843 in 2010 to 4,342,304 in 2023. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the Detroit metro area's native-born population decreased by 58,693 people during that 13-year period, while the foreign-born population increased by 109,154. The top five countries of origin for immigrants in the metro area are India, Iraq, Mexico, Yemen and Lebanon. From 2023 to 2024, the metro area's population gained 40,347 immigrants and lost 11,626 native born residents – resulting in a population gain of 28,721. Efforts to welcome immigrants in Detroit and its surrounding communities contributed to this trend of immigrant population growth offsetting overall population decline. Successful place brands are rooted in inclusion and a strong civil society. Detroit's rich tapestry of cultures in areas such as Dearborn and Hamtramck creates a vibrant regional identity. Organizations such as Global Detroit's Welcoming Michigan actively support local grassroots efforts to build mutual respect and ensure that immigrants are able to participate fully in the social, civic and economic fabric of their hometowns. Examples include Global Detroit's Social Cohesion Initiative, Common Bond and Opportunity Neighborhoods. These initiatives help bring neighborhood residents of various backgrounds together to share their cultures, support each other's small businesses and socialize. Such programs strengthen the region's democratic foundations and enhance its appeal as a welcoming and inclusive place to live. Detroit has found that welcoming immigrants and integrating them into the life of the city is one way to navigate the economic, political and cultural challenges it faces. And it is not alone in embracing this strategy. Other cities practicing similar strategies include Baltimore; Boise, Idaho; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas; Dayton, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans; Pittsburgh; Roanoke, Virginia; and Salt Lake City. Although not all cities choose to pursue such strategies, in those that do, local leaders signal a region ready for a globalized future. Paul N. McDaniel, Associate Professor of Geography, Kennesaw State University and Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Social Work and Human Services, Kennesaw State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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4 days ago
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Chemical company director to stand trial for Flint River oil spill
Dozens marched to Flint City Hall on April 25, 2024, considered the 10th anniversary of the start of the Flint water crisis | Ken Coleman Nearly three years after a Flint-based chemical processing company released about 15,000 gallons of mixed oil and chemicals into the Flint River, the company's director is set to stand trial for his role in the release. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Friday announced that Rajinder Singh Minhas, of Rochester, was bound over to stand trial in the Genesee County Circuit Court on four felony charges for allegedly mismanaging and neglecting critical maintenance and upgrades at the Lockhart Chemical Company. Minhas stands accused of four felony charges: Falsely altering a public record, punishable by up to 14 years in prison; Uttering and publishing a false or altered public record, also punishable by up to 14 years in prison; Substantial endangerment to the public, punishable by up to five years in prison; Discharge of an injurious substance to waters of the state, punishable by up to two years in prison. 'Serious violations by businesses that endanger the health and well-being of Michigan residents and our environment cannot be tolerated,' Nessel said in a statement. 'I am grateful to the talented prosecutors in my office, the dedicated experts from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan State Police, the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, and detectives of EGLE and [the Department of Natural Resource's] Environmental Investigation Section, who all played a significant role in advancing this case through the judicial process.' Minhas also faces several misdemeanor charges including nine violations of the state's liquid industrial waste law and 11 other offenses for violating hazardous waste statutes. A pretrial date has not been set, according to the Attorney General's office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
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30-Year-Old Says Her Boyfriend Thinks 401(k)s Are a 'Scam' — Dave Ramsey Warns: 'You Don't Want to Be Married to That Guy 25 Years From Now'
If you've ever been confused by 401(k)s, you're not alone. A 2024 poll by Beyond Finance found nearly 43% of Americans don't even know what a 401(k) is. But one caller to "The Dave Ramsey Show" wasn't just dealing with confusion — she was dating someone who called the whole thing a scam. The 30-year-old woman phoned in to get advice about her boyfriend, a 32-year-old recent U.S. citizen originally from Albania. She explained she's a dedicated saver with a 401(k) and a Roth IRA — but when she brought up retirement planning to her boyfriend, his response stopped her cold. "All that matters is working and making money now," she recalled him saying, before adding: "401(k)s are a scam." Don't Miss: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —? That's when Dave Ramsey jumped in. "What he's saying is basically, 'I'm immature and I don't want to think about the future,'" he said. Co-host Ken Coleman agreed, calling it a fear-based reaction that might stem from growing up hand-to-mouth in an unstable environment. "But it's still a broken, stupid, and immature viewpoint," Ramsey added. "Regardless of how he got there." And Ramsey didn't stop there. "You get to live with someone who's going to do no planning for the future — which guarantees your future sucks," he warned. "That has to be solved relationally. You either walk him out of that... or walk away from him." Trending: Nancy Pelosi Invested $5 Million In An AI Company Last Year — Coleman jumped in with a gentler angle, comparing the boyfriend's resistance to learning to ride a bike. "He's scared, and he doesn't understand it. You don't throw him into the Tour de France," he said. "You put training wheels on. You walk beside him. But you've got to teach it if this relationship is going to be permanent." Ramsey, though, brought it back to culture shock — and hard reality. "I hate banks," he said bluntly. "But the idea that your money isn't safe in a U.S. bank? That's absurd." He compared it to people from Latin American countries who, after growing up around unstable banks, distrust the U.S. system. "That's not marriage material," he said. "You're marrying someone who hasn't adapted to the culture they live in." He didn't glamorize the future either. "I meet 57-year-old Americans who have no vision, who drank their future on Friday nights and now gripe that opportunity passed them by. You don't want to be married to that guy 25 years from now."And then came the classic Ramsey finale: "I'll be your old ugly Uncle Dave and say: don't marry this guy. He ain't worth it." Despite the skepticism, 401(k)s remain one of the most common and effective retirement tools available to American workers. These employer-sponsored plans allow individuals to invest pre-tax income, often with a company match, into diversified funds that grow over time. While they're not perfect — and no investment is without risk — 401(k)s are backed by federal regulations and protected under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. For anyone hoping to retire with more than just regrets, the real scam may be ignoring them altogether. Read Next: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 30-Year-Old Says Her Boyfriend Thinks 401(k)s Are a 'Scam' — Dave Ramsey Warns: 'You Don't Want to Be Married to That Guy 25 Years From Now' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
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Michigan House bill would rename a portion of U.S.127 after Tuskegee Airman from Jackson
Tuskegee Airmen statue, Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit | Ken Coleman A bill introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives would rename a section of highway in Jackson County after a missing Tuskegee Airman who grew up in the city of Jackson. State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson) said that her sponsored legislation, House Bill 4145, would name a section of U.S. 127 between mile markers 39 and 40, near the I-94 interchange, after 2nd Lieutenant Roosevelt Stiger, a Tuskegee Airman and Purple Heart recipient. 'It is a real privilege to advocate on behalf of a true American hero,' said Schmaltz in a press release. '2nd Lieutenant Stiger served our country with courage, broke barriers, and gave his life fighting for freedom. This memorial is a small but meaningful way we can ensure his legacy lives on in the community he once called home.' Stiger was born in Mississippi in 1919 and moved to Jackson with his family during his childhood. He trained as a pilot through the Tuskegee Aviation Cadet program. Stiger graduated in 1944 and was deployed overseas with the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. During a bomber escort mission over the Adriatic Sea on Oct. 7, 1944, he reported issues with his oxygen system. Stiger's aircraft was seen descending toward the water and he was never recovered, remaining listed as missing in action. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces, breaking racial barriers during a time of segregation and limited opportunity. Despite facing systemic racism, these men trained rigorously and flew countless successful missions during World War II. About 1,000 pilots were trained as Tuskegee Airmen, along with thousands of support personnel. Notable members include Coleman A. Young, who later became the first Black mayor of Detroit, and Charles McGee, a decorated fighter pilot who served in three wars. The Tuskegee Airmen National Museum, which honors their legacy, is located in Detroit at the historic Coleman A. Young International Airport. The bill was approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and now goes to the full House for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
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27-01-2025
- Business
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League opposes Michigan legislation weakening minimum wage, earned paid sick time
Rally at Cadillac Place state office building on April 22, 2021 to fight for minimum wage increase and paid sick leave. | Ken Coleman photo The Michigan League for Public Policy is deeply concerned about legislation that has already passed out of the Michigan House, which undermines a recent ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court and seeks to weaken earned paid sick time and minimum wage protections for working Michiganders. To provide some context on how we got here, it's important to look back at where this began. In 2018, Michigan voters were unjustly blocked from having their say on popular earned paid sick time and minimum wage proposals, which were polling at over a 70% approval rating. To stop the proposals from appearing on the ballot, the 2018 Michigan Legislature instead adopted them ahead of the election and later gutted them during that year's lame duck session. After a long, six-year legal battle, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled last year that this adopt-and-amend scheme was unconstitutional. With that ruling, Michigan's minimum wage is slated to be raised to $12.48 this February and will continue to annually increase, reaching almost $15 by 2028. The tipped minimum wage will also be raised to $5.99 next month and will continue to annually increase until it is brought above the subminimum level in 2030. Additionally, all Michigan employers will be required to provide their employees either 40 or 72 hours of paid sick time each year, depending on the number of workers they employ. Minimum wage and sick leave bills clear Michigan House with bipartisan support after heated debate However, newly proposed legislation — House Bills 4001 and 4002 — is placing these urgently needed worker protections at risk of being significantly altered, yet again. These bills seek to reduce minimum wage increases over the next several years, resulting in a $1,000 to $2,400 annual pay cut for Michigan workers, while also maintaining subminimum tipped wages and exempting 96% of Michigan businesses — those with less than 50 employees — from providing paid sick time. HBs 4001 and 4002 would move Michigan in the wrong direction in terms of strengthening economic security for workers and their families, addressing pay inequities, and safeguarding our state's public health. They come at a time when the majority of Michiganders, including both Democrats and Republicans, have said they support the minimum wage and paid sick leave changes set to take effect this February. They also come at a time when our state's wages continue to lag behind the cost of living and public health continues to be jeopardized by a lack of basic paid sick time coverage for many workers. The COVID-19 pandemic truly underscored the importance of paid sick time for all. Without it, many employees must choose to either go without pay or go to work sick. The provisions slated to take effect this February will allow all Michigan workers to take time off when they are sick without fear of experiencing financial hardship, while also reducing the risk of contagious illnesses spreading in workplaces, schools and public spaces. However, if HB 4002 passes in the Michigan Senate, these essential protections will be stripped away from nearly 1.5 million working Michiganders, placing workers, families and the general public in harm's way. Furthermore, Michigan's minimum wage already falls far behind many other states, 17 of which have already passed a $15 minimum wage. These are not just states with large urban centers, but more rural states as well, such as Nebraska and Missouri. Currently, Michigan's minimum wage is only $10.56 an hour. If HB 4001 passes in the Michigan Senate, it would not reach $15 for another four years. In comparison, the minimum wage schedule slated to go into effect this February will provide larger annual pay increases over the next several years and will get Michigan's minimum wage to almost $15 sooner. As the cost of living continues to rise and looming federal cuts begin to harm household budgets, we need to be doing more, not less, to ensure Michigan workers and families are able to afford basic necessities, such as housing, food, utilities and healthcare. This includes the 41% of Michigan households that are already struggling to make ends meet. Bringing tipped wages above the subminimum level is also critically important from both an economic security and equity standpoint. Contrary to what proponents of these bills have said, we only need to look to the seven states that have already established a single fair minimum wage to uncover strong evidence showing that tipped workers in these states have done as well as or better than tipped workers in states with subminimum tipped wages. And, given that Michigan currently has one of the widest gender wage gaps in the country and 74.3% of all tipped workers are women, the changes slated to take effect next month will go a long way in addressing ongoing pay inequities in our state, while ensuring all service industry workers receive more consistent wages that are not as contingent on the tips they make. This is especially important for tipped workers in smaller, rural communities where restaurants and bars may not have as large of a customer base as larger, urban communities. When workers are healthier, better paid and less stressed, businesses thrive, communities prosper and our state becomes a stronger and more equitable place for all. We hope to see the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling upheld for the sake of workers, families, public health, local economies and our state as a whole. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
