Martin Luther King Corridors Initiative Announced

The Black Ministers Alliance of New Britain and a coalition of other organizations in the state have announced the creation of a Martin Luther King, Jr. Corridors Initiative.

“After years of national neglect,” the groups say, “Connecticut has formed a Statewide Faith, Community, Political and Social Coalition to create the Martin Luther King, Jr. Corridors Initiative.”

“By doing so,” coalition says, “Connecticut becomes the first state in the nation which creates a statewide effort to identify and stimulate the economic health of urban centers where the Nobel Prize Winner’s name adorns street signs and neighborhoods.”

The Initiative was announced at a Program Launch Event held in the Middletown City Council Chambers on January 18, 2019.

Suffragan Bishop Dale I. Shaw Sr. of Bethesda Apostolic Church, President of the Black Ministers Alliance of New Britain, spoke at the event, representing New Britain.

The groups say that, “This stimulus program addresses economic development, jobs, housing and education in communities through public, private non-profit collaborations between faith, public and private sector leaders, organizations and institutions.”

In the Initiative, Key Bank, Liberty Bank and the Community Economic Development Fund will, “develop viable investment options for jobs and business development and expansion in the Corridors.”

The Initiative is also to include planning, “to develop viable options for improving educational outcomes and models,” and, “economic and social development scenarios in the Corridors.”

The initiative was created through the work of a combination of faith leaders, elected officials and state officials, with leadership from the state legislative Black & Puerto Rican Caucus.

Organizers say that, “The Initiative is designed to develop and forward models that are replicable in other neighborhoods and communities in Norwalk, Middletown and New Britain as well as other municipalities throughout the state and the nation.”