( CNN ) -- At a time when the trend among state legislatures is to create tough immigration laws , one Ohio city is pinning its ambitions on an opposite track . Dayton , with a population of about 140,000 , wants to become the friendliest place for immigrants . Immigrants , officials say , have opened businesses and created jobs in the city 's economy , and they hope to reverse the region 's economic slowdown by betting on immigrants . The Dayton City Commission this week accepted the so-called `` Welcome Dayton '' plan , a framework for policies that could be implemented to make the city a more welcoming place . The pro-immigrant sentiment in Dayton stands in contrast to a number of high profile laws at the state level targeting illegal immigrants , but it is not a perfect comparison . The state laws are focused on combating illegal immigration . The city plan has nothing to do with illegal immigration , officials say , but rather with welcoming immigrants and treating all residents with respect . `` Critics conveniently connect the word 'immigrant ' with the word 'illegal ' when talking about the Welcome Dayton plan , but that 's not what this initiative is all about , '' City Manager Tim Riordan said in a news release . `` We have many good people from all nationalities coming here to invest in the community and to build a better life . '' But at least a couple of the recommendations made in the Welcome Dayton plan appear to take undocumented immigrants into consideration . The plan suggests the creation of a municipal identification card for Dayton residents who do n't have any other form of ID . Such a card could presumably help undocumented residents who need identification to open bank accounts or apply for driver 's licenses and other services . Another item that could have an impact on those who are in the country illegally is a recommendation that police emphasize immigration status checks only for suspects of serious crimes . Such a policy could protect undocumented immigrants stopped for minor offenses from fearing deportation . It is an opposite approach from those states with laws that seek to have police check the immigration status of everyone they stop . Other Dayton recommendations include improving the interpreter capabilities offered by the city and creating hiring incentives for government employees to learn a foreign language . The Welcome Dayton plan also advocates seeking federal grants for English study for immigrants . It also recommends using city lobbyists to advocate for pro-immigrant laws at the state and federal level . Many of these proposals would be controversial at the federal level , but opposition appeared to be minor in Dayton . At the public hearing where the plan was discussed , 10 members of the public stood up to address the commissioners about it . Nine of the 10 spoke in support of the measure , and the lone dissenter was n't from Dayton , but from nearby Columbus . The plan was approved unanimously . Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell declined to speak to CNN Saturday , and referred to a statement posted on his blog , which he read at the commission meeting . `` This plan is designed to enhance the potential of Dayton as a competitor in the global economy by attracting immigrants who bring new ideas , new perspective , and new talent to our work force , '' Leitzell said in the statement . `` In order to reverse the decades-long trend of economic decline in this city , we need to think globally and recruit the very best from around the world . '' Welcome Dayton was hatched from a study of housing conditions for Hispanic residents , which ultimately led to a multiagency , communitywide effort to draft the plan . When the city asked its residents about the impact of immigrants , they learned that businesses had been started by immigrants . Houses were rehabilitated and underused buildings were reused and rejuvenated , the report found . According to the city , immigrants are two times more likely than others to become entrepreneurs . `` History proves that closed minds and resistance to change only results in failure , '' Leitzell said . `` To those citizens who are against the Welcome Dayton plan â€ ” instead of condemning something that you did n't participate in , volunteer to help us make it better . ''
Dayton wants to become a nationally recognized immigrant-friendly city . The initiative comes at a time when states are passing tough immigration laws . Immigrants are more likely to start businesses and create jobs , the city says .