The city of St. Louis will participate in the Gateways for Growth (G4G) program through the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America, two national nonprofits working to support immigrant inclusion in communities across the country.
St. Louis will receive tailored research briefs, customized technical assistance and participation in a community of practice, with the goal of deepening the inclusion of international communities in every aspect of St. Louis’ future.
More than 75 communities have participated in the initiative since its launch in 2016. This announcement follows significant regional success in attracting foreign-born residents.
“One of the best things about St. Louis is that we are a community made up of people and cultures from all over the world,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “St. Louis has a rich immigrant history that continues to make our city a more interesting and prosperous place. I look forward to using this opportunity to support and grow our foreign-born community even more.”
In 2023, the St. Louis metropolitan area had the highest percentage increase in the foreign-born population in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of foreign-born residents grew from 129,604 in 2022 to 159,710 in 2023, a 23.2% increase.