ANCHORAGE, AK – Today, Anchorage celebrates Citizenship Day and announces the findings of the third annual New American Economy (NAE) Cities Index, a national assessment of local integration policies and socioeconomic outcomes in the largest 100 cities. The NAE Cities Index examines 31 different policies and practices, as well as 20 different socioeconomic outcomes, to assess cities on their work to integrate newcomers. Assessment categories include Government Leadership, Economic Empowerment, Inclusivity, Community, and Legal Support, as well as Job Opportunities, Economic Prosperity, Livability and Civic Participation.
Anchorage is among this year's most improved cities, jumping nearly 20 spots to a ranking of 26 out of 100 cities this year. Additionally, Anchorage received an NAE badge of distinction for its high performance, scoring a four or five out of five, in the following categories: Government Leadership, Livability, and Civic Participation.
"Anchorage has been a welcoming city since 2014, building on the welcoming traditions of the Dena'ina people to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all of us who make our city home," said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.
The Welcoming Anchorage initiative strives to reinforce Anchorage as a place proud of our heritage, cultural diversity, and inclusiveness. The Welcoming Anchorage Strategic Roadmap identifies the community's core values – inclusivity, equity, and justice. In addition to the Strategic Roadmap, the work done through the Welcoming Anchorage initiative has helped the Municipality better understand how Anchorage's diversity is a vital part of our city's future.
For more information about Welcoming Anchorage, visit the Welcoming Anchorage website.
For more information on the NAE Cities Index visit NewAmericanEconomy.org
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About Welcoming Anchorage
In 2014, Anchorage joined the Welcoming Cities project, a collection of cities from across the United States that recognizes the economic, cultural and social contributions that immigrants and refugees make to our communities. Building on this network, Welcoming Anchorage is a collaboration between the Municipality of Anchorage, local businesses and organizations and the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation that strives to reinforce Anchorage as a place proud of our heritage and poised to position ourselves as a globally competitive, culturally vibrant 21st century community, where everyone is valued, regardless of ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or veteran status. The Welcoming Anchorage initiative has five pillars: language access, community engagement, economic integration and development, education and welcoming week.
About New American Economy
New American Economy (NAE) is a bipartisan research and advocacy organization founded to educate, empower and support policymakers, influencers, and citizens across the country that see the economic and social benefits of a smart approach to immigration reform. NAE has created a coalition of civic, business, and cultural leaders who span the political spectrum and represent all 50 states. NAE makes the case for smart immigration reform in four ways: 1) we use powerful research to demonstrate how immigration impacts our economy, 2) we organize champions at the grassroots and influencer levels to build support for immigration, 3) we partner with state and local leaders to advocate for policies that recognize the value immigrants add locally, and 4) we show immigrant contributions to American culture through film, food, art, sports, comedy, and more.
Media contact: Carolyn Hall, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor, (907) 343-7103, carolyn.hall@anchorageak.gov