Study: Immigrants strengthen LI economy

Study: Immigrants strengthen LI economy 06/05/07)

WOODBURY - A study released Tuesday by the Horace Hagedorn Foundation found Long Island benefits economically from its immigrant community.

According to the study, Hispanic immigrants - both legal and illegal - each contribute an average of $614 more than they receive in education, health care and corrections. Hispanic-owned businesses on the Island, meanwhile, earn $2 billion and employ approximately 25,000 people, the study found.

"This population is creating jobs," said Darren Sandow, executive director of the Horace Hagedorn Foundation. "They're actually bringing down the amount of taxes each Long Islander pays because they're generating income."

Horace Hagedorn was the founder of Miracle Gro plant food. He died in 2005. The foundation named after him is continued by his wife, Amy Hagedorn, who is president of the organization.