Leaders in Battle Creek have decided that they want the city to be a more welcoming place for refugees and immigrants.
The Battle Creek Enquirer reports commissioners voted 6-3 Tuesday to join the Welcoming City program.
The decision came about three months after the commission first heard a presentation on Welcoming Michigan.
Mayor Dave Walters and two commissioners cast dissenting votes. Walters says he would support a proclamation instead of a resolution.
Commissioner Kate Flores, who requested that the city consider joining the initiative, says the program is about learning to be inclusive of all the community's residents, including refugees and immigrants who already live there.
Welcoming Michigan is part of the Welcoming America network, which was launched in 2009.
Several other Michigan communities are participants.
