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10 Worcester Business Journal | December 9, 2019 | wbjournal.com Brazilian-Americans have transformed MetroWest communities like Framingham and Marlborough, as they learn the business climate South American INFLUENCE F O C U S I M M I G R A N T S W hen Enzo de Sá's father moved from Brazil to Massachu- setts in the late 1980s, it was no surprise he ended up in Somerville, which was then the center of the state's Brazilian immigrant population. He opened AMAZONia Insurance, largely serving that community. But when Sá took over the business a couple of years ago, he realized the company needed to add a new office – in Framingham. "Drive through central Framingham, it's like every single shop has a Brazilian flag," Sá said. Sá, who serves as the company's vice president, said the Brazilian community in Framingham grew out of families leaving Somerville when rents got too high. Meanwhile, new waves of immi- grants from Brazil have joined long-time residents, and continue to do so today. Overall, Massachusetts is one of the biggest destinations in the U.S. for people from Brazil. And Brazilians are among the most-represented immigrant groups throughout communities in Central Massachusetts. BY LIVIA GERSHON Special to the Worcester Business Journal Raquel Riberti-Bill, a native of Brazil and program director at ProGente Connections in Framingham and Marlborough, offers classes for immigrants to improve their professional lives. Top Brazilian communities The Greater Boston area has the highest concentration of Brazilian immigrants in the United States. These Central Mass. communities lead the region in Brazilian populations. Total Population with Percentage of population Community population Brazilian ancestry with Brazilian ancestry Source: US Census American Communities Survey, 2017 5-year estimates Marlborough 39,771 4,107 10.3% Framingham 71,232 6,461 9.1% Hudson 15,554 967 6.2% Milford 25,738 1,212 4.7% Clinton 7,150 336 4.7% Leominster 41,446 1,489 3.6% Norwood 29,121 754 2.6% Worcester 184,743 2,329 1.3% PHOTOS/MATT WRIGHT