Study: Indiana Needs Immigrants To Grow

Dear Editor:

Indiana has depended on immigrants to drive population growth since 2000, say the preliminary results of a Ball State University study.

An analysis by Emily Wornell, research assistant professor with the university’s Indiana Communities Institute, found that 320,000 to 326,000 immigrants, or about one of every 20 Hoosiers, accounted for 27 percent of the state’s population growth from 2000 to 2015.

Her research also found that 30.3 percent of the foreign-born population in Indiana earned bachelor’s degrees, compared to 23.7 percent native-born Hoosiers.

Immigrants are keeping about 20 percent of Indiana counties from losing population.

Wornell will be working with her counterparts at the University of Notre Dame to analyze the overall impact of immigrants on the state of Indiana. In particular, she will be looking at second generation Americans in Indiana, a group that is considered the largest economic contributor (earnings, taxes, and job creation) of any demographic group.

Her research interests focus on policy and research, including inequality and population change in rural communities.

Thanks, Marc Ransford Senior communications strategist Ball State University Muncie, Ind. 47306

FROM COMED’S CONSTRUCT

Hi Veronica,

ComEd has an important message about its new solar curriculum, Construct and we hope you will help share it among your readers who we believe can greatly benefit from it. I have provided two separate messages and video links below – one for ComEd’s Construct Program and the other about a successful graduate from the Construct Program.

Watch this informative ComEd video about Construct’s new solar curriculum. As a part of ComEd’s commitment to creating a cleaner energy future, this year’s Construct participants studied new curriculum and received hands-on training specific to the expanding field of solar.

More solar jobs require more solar training, and the law provides for new job training by many community organizations in the months ahead. This year’s Construct participants got a head start.

“Once the [solar] market explodes, we will have to be ready to go,” says Chris Williams, an instructor in the Construct program and owner of Millennium Solar Electric, which is based in Park Forest, Ill. “This is where the market is actually going, so it’s important for them to understand and be a part of it.” Link: https://poweringlives.comed. com/construct-lights-way-to-solarcareers/

N. MORALES- COMED

Dear Editor, Blood Drive on Route 66 helps save lives

Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply. The American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley board of directors invites the community to give at the Blood Drive on Route 66, Wednesday, July 26, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the historic Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, in the Esplanade and Rotunda rooms. Those who come out to give will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, and be entered to win one of eight $10 Visa gift cards, courtesy of Suburban Propane, or one of eight $10 Meijer gift cards. Participants will also receive a special Rialto Square Theatre Show Presale Pass that allows show tickets to be purchased before available to the general public. As a Red Cross sponsor, 1340 WJOL will broadcast live from this event.

“During the summer, the American Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors, and current donors often delay giving due to warm-weather activities and vacation plans,” said Ken Cozzi, executive director with the Red Cross. “Blood donations of all types are needed. We appreciate 1340 WJOL, the Rialto Square Theater and community members for their support in getting this message out and encouraging people to come out to the Rialto Theater and donate.”

Donated blood may be used to help accident victims, surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. There is no substitute for donated blood products. Each day, the Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.

“While all blood types are needed, those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive,” said Raul Mora, manufacturing director with the Red Cross. “Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact.”

Those who attempt to donate now through Sept. 4 with the Red Cross can enter to win one of three grand prize packages for four to Knott’s Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio.

joysquier@redcross.org