Philadelphia’s population boom over the last 15 years is due in large part to new immigrants. A growing number of new institutions — from the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians to the Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs, started by former Mayor Michael Nutter — have grown roots to meet the new demand, encouraging social and economic integration. 

This week, the Philadelphia Immigrant Innovation Hub can add itself to that list.

Thanks to a group of nonprofits a $260,000 grant from the Knight Foundation’s Cities Challenge, the hub will provide immigrant entrepreneurs with affordable workspaces, workshops and language assistance programs. It will also offer entrepreneurs access to capital from traditional and nontraditional lenders through Finanta, a Philly-based community lender.

Mayor Kenney attended the ribbon-cutting Thursday evening.

Immigrant Innovation Hub, launching today, will put immigrants at the center of our economic & creative renaissance! pic.twitter.com/WpjDZ03a0E

— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) February 5, 2016

Some areas of the city have attracted immigrant residents and their economic contributions more than others, and the hub looks to do just that for Mount Airy.

Mt. Airy, U.S.A., the neighborhood's community development corporation, partnered with the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians to launch the hub. One of the central elements of the hub will be its one-on-one mentorship over an 18-month period, in which entrepreneurs can fine-tune their business plans while networking with the city's business community at large.

Calls to both nonprofits behind the hub were not immediately returned Friday.

Happy to be celebrating @Phillyihub here with @mtairyusa! #immigrants #entrepreneurs pic.twitter.com/WdhW7QONry

— Amanda B-S (@AmandaWorking) February 4, 2016