麻州州長派區克（Deval Patrick）昨（十九）日在林市（Lynn）的新美國人中心和來自全州各地的移民企業家，社區人士，攜手慶祝他們對麻州經濟成長的貢獻，並宣佈六月十五日至七月十五日是麻州移民月。
派區克表示，移民一向是麻州整體經濟，文化的一部份，他很驕傲能有機會表揚以麻州為家的移民企業家們。
移民在麻州人力中約占20%。 麻州州長派區克的辦公室表示，在州長辦公室，麻州難民移民辦公室（ORI）等努力下，他們為三萬二千名以上難民及移民增加了教育，就業，住宅，入籍等服務。聯邦政府的安置難民2014年就業結果報告也在僱用難民上，把麻州排為第三。
麻州難民移民辦公室（ORI）主任馬婷奈（Josiane Martinez）表示，移民及南民是麻州經濟的驅動力，而派區克政府一直都很支持移民，難民社區。
在新來者人數上，麻州排名全美第八，約有14%人口為移民。其中拉丁裔及亞裔擁有的企業就僱用了五萬名麻州居民，營業額高逾七十億元。
上個月，派區克政府宣佈了一項聯邦政府補助款，加強為移民，難民提供的職業，教育及入籍援助。來自全國及社區服務公司（Corporation
for National and Community Service (CNCS)）的四十萬元經費，將在未來三年內，安排九十名美國公司（AmeriCorps）會員，為五千名難民，移民提供培訓及支援服務。
四月份時，派區克州長宣布了“推廣成長及機會法（An Act to Promote Growth and Opportunity）”等經濟發展計劃，要把麻州人力培訓得更符合僱主需要，並投資近門戶城市，以在全州提供誘因，刺激經濟發展，創造就業機會。
藉該一法案，派區克還宣佈推出“駐地環球企業家項目（ Global Entrepreneur in
Residence Program）”，以吸引，留住企業家，在麻州內拓展公司，創造工作機會，該項目將容許符合資格，具備高技能，目前在麻州的國際學生，如果在創辦或拓展企業，畢業後可以留下來。
這一項目將經由“麻州科技合作（Mass
Tech Collaborative）”管理，會把有資格申請H1-B簽證，但礙於聯邦限額，而無法取得該簽証者，轉為公家或私營機構的“駐地企業家”，以確保他們能繼續為麻州的經濟做貢獻。GOVERNOR PATRICK CELEBRATES IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENURSHIP SUCCESSES IN MASSACHUSETTS
LYNN – Thursday, June 19, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today joined immigrant entrepreneurs and community members from across the Commonwealth to celebrate their successes in driving the Commonwealth’s economic growth and proclaimed June 15 – July 15, 2014 as Immigrant Entrepreneurship Month. The event, held at the New American Center in Lynn, included first-hand accounts from immigrant entrepreneurs who have found success in Massachusetts, and musical presentations from refugees.
"Our immigrant communities have always been an integral part of our state’s economic and cultural fabric," said Governor Patrick. "I am proud to recognize the hard work of our immigrant entrepreneurs who have made Massachusetts home, and whose achievements help keep us in the leadership business.”
Immigrants compose nearly 20 percent of the state’s workforce. Under the Patrick Administration, the state’s Office of Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) has increased access to services including education, employment, housing and citizenship for more than 32,000 refugees and immigrants. In partnership with providers across the Commonwealth, ORI has helped refugees and immigrants participate in the Commonwealth’s larger economic growth. The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement's 2014 annual employment outcome report ranked Massachusetts third in the nation in employment of refugees.
“Immigrants and refugees are a driving force in our state’s economy and the Patrick Administration has consistently supported this community,” said ORI Executive Director Josiane Martinez. “These dedicated men and women bring with them a wealth of unique knowledge and skills that make the Commonwealth a richer and more diverse place to live.”
Governor Patrick was joined by officials from ORI, the Department of Public Health’s Refugee and Immigrant Health Program, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), the New American Center, House of the Russian Community Association, Congolese Development Center, Southern Sudanese Solidarity Organization, Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center, Bosnian Center for Resource Development, International Institute of Boston local leaders, new Americans and immigrant and refugee organizations at Thursday’s event.
The proclamation Immigrant Entrepreneurship Month recognizes the vital role that immigrants have in the Commonwealth’s strong economic growth, continued job creation and maintaining its innovative edge, as well as the social and cultural contributions that advance the quality of life in Massachusetts and around the nation. Massachusetts ranks eighth in the nation for newcomers, with an immigrant population that represents over 14 percent of the population. Latino and Asian-owned businesses alone employ over 50,000 Massachusetts residents, with sales of over $7 billion.
“Lynn has been home to many immigrants who have launched their new homes from here,” said Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. “We have witnessed the successes of individuals such as Fitzroy Alexander, who, in search of the American Dream, came to the United States from Grenada. Working his way up from a job as a dishwasher, he planned and built a bread factory that has become a landmark here in this city and an invaluable source of new jobs. It is our hope that with increased access to education, employment and housing services, an even greater number of immigrant entrepreneurs will realize their dreams.”
Last month, the Patrick Administration announced a federal grant to enhance vocational, educational and citizenship assistance to refugees and immigrants across the Commonwealth. The nearly $400,000 grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will place 90 AmeriCorps members across Massachusetts who will provide training and support to over 5,000 refugees and immigrants over the next three years.
In April, Governor Patrick announced an economic development package that provides new tools and training so the Commonwealth’s workforce is prepared to meet the needs of employers, invests in its Gateway Cities to promote development across the entire state and provides incentives to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The Governor’s bill, An Act to Promote Growth and Opportunity, builds on the Administration’s proven growth strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure that has led to record job creation in Massachusetts and made the Commonwealth a global leader in key innovation economy sectors.
As part of his bill, the Governor announced the creation of a Global Entrepreneur in Residence Program to retain and attract entrepreneurs who are growing companies and creating jobs in the state. The program will allow qualified, highly skilled, international students currently in Massachusetts to stay here after graduation if they are starting or growing a business. Administered by the Mass Tech Collaborative, the program will place selected students – who are eligible for H-1B visas but unable to get them due to a federal cap – as “entrepreneurs in residence” at public and private institutions and will ensure that they continue to contribute to the Massachusetts economy.
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