June is Immigrant History Month, and as the proud daughter of immigrants, it’s an especially important time for me. My mother is from Mexico, and my dad is from Serbia. (Family reunions were always interesting affairs.) My parents came here to pursue the American Dream, and like so many other immigrant families, they showed that through hard work and perseverance, they could succeed in their new home.

Our city, region, and state are full of stories like mine. Metro Atlanta has the second-fastest growing foreign-born population in the country, and Georgia immigrant businesses generate $2.9 billion in annual business revenue, representing 12% of the total. Nationally, immigrants pursue entrepreneurship at a higher rate (6.6%) than the native-born (4.5%). And 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or children of immigrants.

Here in the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta has a keen focus on stimulating business opportunities for all. We are all about "facilitating the dream"! The dream of business ownership knocks on many people’s doors, including immigrants. Invest Atlanta is there to provide support.

For example, we have supported Neal and Samir Idnani, the owners of NaanStop, from the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey through our small business loan programs. Their mother came to the U.S. from northeast India, bringing with her the recipes the Idnani brothers have shared with their customers. They will soon open their third Atlanta location at Atlantic Station.

As we celebrate immigrant families like the Idnani’s and so many others, I will continue to work closely with Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Welcoming Atlanta to ensure we build upon our tradition as being a diverse and inclusive city.