Western Union Expands Initiative to Promote Community, Economic Development in Mexico

Western Union, a global leader in money transfer services, announced today the expansion of a pioneering initiative, the 4×1 Program, to the Mexican State of Michoacan. Governor Lazaro Cardenas Batel of Michoacan and Christina Gold, President, Western Union will sign the agreement between Western Union, the State of Michoacan and participating hometown associations on Saturday, June 24, at 12:00 p.m. Central time at the Casa Michoacan, 1638 South Blue Island Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Western Union will contribute a total of $1.25 million to the program, with $250,000 earmarked for each participating state in the program. With Western Union’s participation, the 4×1 Program builds on the success of Mexico’s current 3×1 program, in which each government jurisdiction (local, state and federal) matches remittances made by U.S.-based Mexican hometown associations to communities in Mexico.

The 4×1 program helps fund development projects in Mexican communities that experience high levels of migration and poverty. With Western Union’s contribution, the 4×1 Program has the potential to leverage $5 million in funding for development projects in Mexico. The types of job-creating projects that will qualify for funding include agricultural infrastructure, natural resources conservation efforts, community-based economic development projects such as structural improvements or technical upgrades to existing small businesses, educational facilities and health care centers. Through an open application process, Western Union will review proposals from hometown associations for development projects in Mexico and match donations made by the associations for selected projects.

As the first private-sector company to participate in the program, Western Union will join hometown associations (HTAs) of Mexican migrants living in the U.S. and local, state and federal jurisdictions of the Mexican government to improve economic opportunity and quality of life in communities throughout Mexico.

“The 4×1 program provides an innovative solution to a challenging issue,” said Christina Gold, President, Western Union. “Working with Michoacan Governor Lazaro Cardenas Batel and Mexican hometown associations in California, Texas, Illinois, Nevada, and Alaska, Western Union will play an important role in strengthening communities and creating valuable job opportunities for people living in disadvantaged and underserved areas in Mexico.”

The 4×1 Program evolved from remittances made by HTAs of Mexicans living in the U.S. to their families and communities in Mexico. According to the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) there are approximately 583 Mexican HTAs located in 30 states in the U.S.