From revitalizing neighborhoods to driving innovation in high-demand industries, our immigrant and refugee neighbors are not just participants in our community—they are catalysts for growth and opportunity. In Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, immigrants and refugees are job creators, community builders, and essential contributors to our workforce.  

Entrepreneurs from immigrant backgrounds have launched dynamic businesses that breathe new life into neighborhoods and provide essential goods and services. Whether family-owned restaurants in Over-the-Rhine and Covington, tech startups in Uptown and Oxford, healthcare-related businesses in Florence and Mason, their ventures generate jobs and add to the overall vibrancy of our region. Moreso, they add to the visibility of the region, playing a key part to help ensure that the region is a choice global destination for talent, innovation, and culture. 

Immigrants also play an indispensable role in filling critical workforce gaps, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology—sectors that are the backbone of Cincinnati’s economy. As the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow, immigrants bring expertise and fresh perspectives, ensuring these industries remain competitive and resilient. As the region continues to grow and be a global destination for cultural and sporting events, immigrants fill critical roles in hospitality and construction.  

Cincinnati Compass, along with its invaluable partners and collaborators, works tirelessly to make Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky a welcoming and inclusive place for all. We are thankful to our many partners across multiple sectors who are allies in this mission, fostering connections and building bridges that help individuals and families thrive. 

Looking ahead, there are three key areas in which Cincinnati Compass is helping the Cincinnati region solidify its place as a global destination for global talent and innovation: 

1. Streamline pathways for immigrant and international student entrepreneurs by enhancing access to technical assistance and mentorship, simplifying access to capital, offering multilingual resources for starting and scaling businesses, and providing support for international founders. Reach out to learn more about strategies to support immigrant and international entrepreneurs. 

2. Expand initiatives for workforce integration, particularly for foreign-trained professionals already in the region (Note: 48% of immigrants in the region have a bachelor’s degree or higher). Combine integrated language learning and skills-based training for immigrant jobseekers. Help ensure immigrants and refugees can more easily connect with employers in high-demand sectors through targeted training and credentialing programs. Reach out to learn how to tap into this talent pool of internationally trained professionals here in the region. 

3. Enhance cultural exchange and community-building efforts to celebrate the diverse talents and traditions immigrants bring, fostering a sense of belonging that attracts even more global talent. 

As we celebrate the holidays and prepare for the new year, let’s reaffirm our commitment to creating a region where everyone—regardless of their place of origin—has the opportunity to contribute and succeed. Together, we can ensure that the region continues to shine as a beacon of talent, diversity, and innovation. 

We invite you to reach out to collaborate: 

· Learn: Want to build your capacity to attract and retain multilingual talent? Want to make sure your services reach immigrant and refugee communities? Are you trying to make sense of the changing immigration landscape? We are happy to work with you to build strategies for welcoming and supporting immigrant, refugee, and international student talent, connecting you to many providers across the region. 

· Volunteer: Support Cincinnati Compass or one of our many partners through volunteering. Are you a part of an ERG/ARG/BRG and looking to support community members in the region? Help a jobseeker connect to professional networks and gain career guidance. Mentor a small business. Help a newcomer connect to local communities and resources.

· Share stories of success: Are you or do you know an entrepreneur adding vibrancy to a neighborhood business district; an international student who founded a company; a rising civic leader; or an employer who understands the value of hiring multilingual talent? 

· Donate: Make a contribution to help us expand our programs in areas of civic engagement (Compass Community Council), workforce development (employer engagement and support of internationally trained professionals) and small business development (entrepreneur roundtable).