Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced the City of Buffalo is ranked 17th on the fourth annual New American Economy (NEA) Cities Index, a national assessment of local integration policies and socioeconomic outcomes in the largest 100 cities.
“The City of Buffalo’s leap from 38th in the 2020 index to 17th in this year’s NEA Cities Index reflects my Administration’s efforts as a welcoming city that embraces immigrants and refugees, works to help them feel at home in Buffalo, and assists them find a personal and professional path to success,” Mayor Brown said.
The NAE Cities Index uses 59 separate metrics to assess how immigrants compare to their native-born counterparts economically, civically, socially, and politically. In light of the important role cities are playing in the COVID-19 response and recovery effort, this year’s Index also includes a new section on Inclusive Emergency Management, developed through a multi-city research effort.
The City of Buffalo ranks as one of the top most improved cities in this year’s Index, jumping 21 places to 17th in the nation. The City received the highest possible score in nearly every policy category – Government Leadership, Economic Empowerment, Inclusivity, Community, and Emergency Management – and received distinction for impressive socioeconomic scores in Livability (4/5), and Civic Participation (4/5).
“The 2020 Census, which saw Buffalo’s population grow by 17,000, the first population increase in 70 years, quantified what I had been predicting. We could tell based on the movement of new Americans in our city, and our strategic efforts to be a welcoming city, to reach out to new Americans, to invite people of different backgrounds to come to our city, that that strategy was working,” Mayor Brown said.
Mayor Brown cited his creation of the Office of New Americans, and his Administration’s continuing efforts to make Buffalo a diverse, inclusive place where no one is left out and no one is left behind, as key drivers of immigrants and refugees now calling Buffalo home.
Data from the NAE Index found:
- Immigrants in the Buffalo metro area paid $643.3 million in taxes in 2019
- There were more than 3,280 immigrant entrepreneurs in 2019
- Immigrants in the metro area make up 6.5% of the total population
BUFFALO PAL’S JR. NBA YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM WILL TIP OFF ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6
The Buffalo Police Athletic League’s ‘PAL Jr. NBA youth basketball program will start Saturday, November 6 and run through Saturday, December 18.
“Buffalo PAL is pleased to once again offer The Jr. NBA to returning youth as well as new boys and girls who can enjoy participating in this fantastic basketball program. Jr. NBA is an important sports enrichment program that helps youth improve as athletes and develops their skills as basketball players. It also helps foster positive interactions that take place with young athletes and their coaches, mentors, and peers,” said PAL Executive Director Nekia Kemp.
The jr. NBA sessions will be held at the City’s Hennepin Community Center, 24 Ludington St. Sessions for girls, ages 8-10, will run from noon -1 p.m. Sessions for boys, ages 11-13, will take place from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Pre-registration is required. To register visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PALJRNBA2021 The Jr. NBA program is the official youth basketball participation program of the NBA.
Its goal is to develop a lifelong passion for the game of basketball in boys and girls ages 8-13 by teaching them the fundamentals of the sport while instilling core values including teamwork, respect and sportsmanship.
The program encourages and supports youth basketball participation at the grassroots level and improve the overall youth basketball experience for all participants.
Buffalo PAL PlayStreets Moves to the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood the week
Buffalo Police Athletic League’s popular PlayStreets sessions will take place on Tuesday, November 2, and Thursday, November 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the Lincoln Community Center, 10 Quincy St.
All sessions are weather permitting. In addition to free fitness gear, participants will receive a healthy snack and bottled water.
PlayStreets is sponsored by Independent Health and supported by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, in partnership with City of Buffalo Block Clubs. Youth who have not previously participated in PlayStreets events are asked to register at: buffalopal.com.
The City of Buffalo and its BuffaloLIT partner to light up for National Color the World Orange Day
The dome of Buffalo City Hall and BuffaloLIT partners will be glowing in orange tonight, Monday, November 1 to mark Color the World Orange Day. The national observance, which is observed annually on the first Monday of November, is dedicated to bringing awareness to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).
CRPS and RSD involve high levels of nerve impulses sent to an affected site in the body. Medical experts believe the condition is a result of a dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous system. Symptoms vary in severity and usually occur more in women than men. Pain can be intense or worsen over time.
There is no specific test or cure for CRPS. Treatment focuses on pain relief, physical therapy, and psychotherapy.