Michigan Matters: Luring More Immigrants To Help The Region's Bottom Line
Immigration can be an elixir to help bolster Detroit's shrinking population as well as the state's, Bing Goei said during taping of CBS 62's "Michigan Matters."
Goei, director of the Michigan Office for New Americans (MONA), made the comments on the program which airs this Sunday at 11:30 am. He appeared with Carol Cain, Senior Producer/Host of the weekly show.
Gov. Rick Snyder announced MONA in 2014 and talked about his goal of luring more immigrants to Michigan to startup businesses and maybe invest in companies here too.
Goei, who ran Eastern Floral Co. in Grand Rapids, assumed the MONA job and has been crisscrossing the state talking about the advantages of having more immigrants.
He said recent fears over terrorism and allowing more refugees from Syria into Michigan has caused special challenges.
But there are differences between immigrants and refugees, he pointed out.
Then, Tim Richey, CEO of Detroit PAL, and Commander Todd Bettison, of the Detroit Police Department, appear and talk about things they are doing to help young people in the Motor City.
Richey discussed moving their headquarters to the old Tiger Stadium.
Both Richey and Bettison talked about the playing field there that will be used for soccer, softball and other sports and the decision to use artificial turf vs. real grass.
Bettison said it was far safer and more durable than grass.
You can hear the conversation by watching "Michigan Matters" 11:30 AM Sunday on CBS 62.