We must demonstrate, as a municipality, a strong commitment to creating a well-educated, multicultural workforce in
order to compete in the global economy. The rich diversity of residents currently in our community that speak multiple
languages is just one example of a currently untapped resource that can enhance our competitiveness in the global
economy. Nashua main street businesses large and small like UPS, Triangle Federal Credit Union, Santander Bank and
Remax are actively seeing bi-lingual employees because it is good for business. Early adopters of the Welcoming Cities
and Counties Initiative are beginning to see the fruits of their efforts in economic growth. The WE Global Network
consisting of over 30 cities along the rust belt in the midwest have well documented both the opportunity and the
imperative of welcoming and have data that demonstrate the fruits of the welcoming network. As Nashua makes a
stronger commitment to welcoming practices, more of our multi-lingual neighbors will find opportunities that recognize
and value this important skill set which will increate economic mobility for these individuals as well as stimulate new
business for their employers. By joining the Welcoming Cities and Counties Network, Nashua will be making a firm
statement that it is committed to holding itself to a recognized standard as a welcoming community. This strong
partnership statement directly from the municipality will support many of our local nonprofit community partners to
secure valuable state and national foundation grants to support their efforts. Corporations will actively look to the
official Welcoming Cities and Counties membership list for future growth opportunities.
Our citizens are looking to you Mayor Donchess and our local officials to make an important choice about the kind of
community we wish to become. We recognize as a coalition that there has been significant rhetoric that has polarized
citizens around topics related to race relations and immigration. One Greater Nashua does not have a political agenda.
We are simply concerned citizens that are standing up for the kind of community we want to live in: one where all
residents feel a sense of pride and belonging; one where community members recognize and value each other as
neighbors; one where all residents have equal access to the building blocks of a good quality of life. This starts when the
community says to each of our residents, “We recognize the unique skills and opportunities you bring. Our community’s
strength relies on you. You are welcome and you are one of us.” We are asking the aldermen to join us and support us
in our vision of One Greater Nashua by making a strong commitment to being a welcoming city and passing the full
resolution.
Sincerely,
Liz Fitzgerald Jared Barbosa
Liz Fitzgerald Jared Barbosa
Co-chair One Greater Nashua Chair, One Greater Nashua
