Communities and businesses need to think about immigrants and refugees as potential workforce additions.

Tim Jurgens with Lutheran Social Services in Sioux Falls says immigrants have made a difference in several places already…..

Jurgens spoke at the quarterly meeting of Yankton Area Progressive Growth.
He says businesses are rewarded if they take a chance on adding immigrants….

Jurgens says new arrivals to the state have dropped from five hundred thirty-five in 2013, to two hundred nine last year.

Jurgens says attitudes can change….

Jurgens says they help refugees and immigrants get on a path to citizenship which can take years.