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West Indians began migrating to
the Connecticut River Valley during World War II and quickly found
agricultural jobs in the region. Many worked in the valley's
thriving tobacco industry. Today, the Hartford area has one of the
country's largest populations of residents of West Indian descent.
In 2004, a group of volunteers formed the Hartford Caribbean Trade Council to promote commerce between Connecticut and
Caribbean island nations. The nonprofit group is overseen by a
nine-member board.
Andrew Lawrence, who is of Jamaican descent, is a Hartford police
officer, local businessman and president and director of the trade
council
Q Why was the trade council
established?
A The purpose of the council is to encourage trade to come
into Hartford, as opposed to only coming through New York and
Florida. By having products come into Bradley International Airport,
for example, the Hartford area gets a tax base and the residents of
Hartford get lower prices for all the products rather than the
products having to go to New York and then be trucked all the way
back here. We are an economic development initiative of the city.
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to
the Home of Hartford Caribbean Trade Council Inc. here we identify and
promote business opportunities for importers, exporters and service
providers between Metro Hartford and the Caribbean.
