Disinvested is a podcast series that discusses the challenges facing Greater Hartford, and lays out a new vision for the future of our region.
The first episode of the series, titled “An Economy for Everyone,” looks at the inequities in our region, and explains how we can grow Hartford’s economy in a way that benefits all neighborhoods and residents.
Listen to “An Economy for Everyone”:
Visit disinvested.com for more information.
Excerpts:
Erik Johnson, City of Hartford: It used to be what the taxi cab drivers say when you flew into a city. Now it’s what Uber or Lyft drivers say. If the people who are the backbone of your city or your place don’t believe in the place, then it can never be great.
Alan Mattamana, Fairview Capital: The best people to make an investment in a neighborhood are the people in the neighborhood themselves. They’re the most knowledgeable. They have the most at stake. But if there’s no one in the neighborhood that has the capital, all those things that I just mentioned are untapped potential.
Kathleen Maldonado, North End resident: I don’t want anybody badmouthing my zip code, Upper Albany. It’s a little messy right now, but we’re getting there, and there’s so much opportunity here. The residents that live here, we do care. We’re not giving up on our zip code. We want more, and you’re not going to forget us. We are here.
Joseph Parilla, Brookings Institute: I think most people want to live in a country that is equitable and fair because it is simply the right thing to do, but it’s also the smart thing to do from an economic competitiveness standpoint.
Devra Lee Sisitsky, Makerspace CT: It was definitely difficult being a woman in the workplace. We did not know that our place was sustainable. It has changed, certainly, over the years. There’s a whole movement to support women, to support minorities. We’re now looking at the 49% majority saying, “what about me?”
Lyle Wray, Capital Region Council of Governments: One of the things that’s very interesting when you do the traditional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, the strength list here is absolutely amazing. The question is: how do we leverage those to get the best bang for the buck? And I think we have a lot of work to do.
