INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): New research shows that immigrants are playing a vital role in the growth of the Indiana and the national economy. 

Indianapolis-based Pros Consulting Inc. has found that the foreign-born population will double in Marion County alone by 2023. Pros Consulting is a management consulting and master-planning firm that services government and not-for-profit agencies. 

Vice President Neelay Bhatt says that from 2009 to 2023, the foreign born population will continue to rise from about 60,000 people to more than 120,000 residents. Bhatt says much of the population growth will come from new immigrants from Burma, Mexico, India, China and the Philippines. 

Bhatt says industries like the highly-skilled, bio-technology and professional services sectors are driving a lot of the growth along with arts, entertainment and hospitality, educational services, healthcare and social services and management and administration-based industries. Bhatt says educated immigrants are playing a major role in the U.S. economy. He says more than 20% of the leaders of the fastest growing companies in the United States are from outside of the country, gross annual sales generated by immigrant-owned businesses have already topped $775 billion and those businesses are paying $126 billion to native-born Americans who work for immigrant-run firms. 

Bhatt says immigrants are playing major roles in helping to bolster the U.S. economy. He adds that immigrants start businesses at twice the rate of native-born Americans. Bhatt says creating a pro-business and pro-cultural environment for immigrants is crucial for the future competitiveness of the U.S. on the world economic stage. 

Bhatt also consults with the Indianapolis-based Immigrant Welcome Center which is sponsoring its Live Local, Think Global Forum of top Indiana corporate executives at the Athenaeum. Leaders will discuss what needs to be done to advance Indiana's economy and create more jobs for all Hoosiers from the immigrant-friendly perspective.