Bruce P. Corrie, PhD, Economist at Concordia University and ALANA Brain Trust
Testimony HF1723, SF1569
There are an estimated 11,145 Minnesotans from Burma living mostly in Ramsey County. They are our most recent refugee community and are working hard to achieve the American dream overcoming many barriers along the way.
This small community had over half the population living in poverty as they work towards self-reliance. Yet they contribute a lot to the Minnesotan economy through their workers, businesses, youth in school and university and vibrant cultural assets.
$76 million Buying Power. 3600 + workers
This small community has a buying power of over $76 million. There are an estimated 3600 Burmese Minnesotans in the workforce.
$1.8 million in monthly rental payments to property owners.
Though majority are renters experiencing huge cost burdens to rent a home, yet they contribute $ 1.8 million every month in rental payments to property owners.
Adults lose $11 billion in lifetime earnings.
Currently 80 percent of the adult population have less than a high school degree. If these Minnesotans were to complete a four-year degree their expected lifetime earnings would increase by $12 billion.
Youth represent a talent pool of $19 billion in lifetime earnings.
If the current over 6000 youth aged under 5 to 24 years were to earn a four-year degree their lifetime earnings would be an estimated $19 billion dollars.
$83 million economic impact in Minnesota. $10 million in tax contributions.
The ALANA Brain Trust IMPLAN economic model estimates that the 2000 + Burmese households with their interaction in the Minnesotan economy have an $83 million dollar impact on the local economy which in turn supports around 500 jobs and $10 million in federal, state, and local taxes.
Time to invest in building the economic assets of Karen, Karenni and other Minnesotans from Burma.
Karen/Karenni Cultural Destinations as an Economic Development Strategy
Investing in creating cultural destinations as reflected in the Urban Village in Saint Paul or Friends Café in Roseville can be a powerful strategy to build wealth in this small but vibrant community. These destinations could add to the strong models in Ramsey County, such as Little Mekong.
Census Data from Minnesota Compass.
