New Bedford’s Capitol Theater Set for CEDC Overhaul

This week, we shined the Southcoast Health Spotlight onto Corinn Williams, Executive Director of the Community Economic Development Center. The CEDC has been making a difference in the local community since 1997, and Corinn was excited to share the important work they do to help people and improve the area’s economy.

The CEDC works with the local community to connect people to helpful resources, skills, and programs to make the area a better place. The center is part of a group of organizations across the state that have the same goal of improving neighborhoods, building stronger communities, and transforming lives.

One of the ways the CEDC helps is by supporting small business owners. They offer services to help new businesses get started and grow. They also offer classes in English and financial literacy to help people manage their money, improve their credit scores, and even better understand their bank accounts.

One of their most well-known programs is called VITA (Volunteers in Tax Assistance). VITA offers free tax help for working families and older adults to make sure they get all the benefits and refunds to which they are entitled. For example, too many people miss out on things like the Senior Circuit Breaker which can offer over $2,000 to seniors over 65, or the Earned Income Tax Credit which is a benefit that helps working families pay for food and housing.

Williams mentioned that many people don't file their taxes because they can't afford to pay someone to do it, but the CEDC offers this service for free, making sure no one misses out. The CEDC also partners with UMass Dartmouth, where student interns help with tax preparation. 

Financial literacy classes are also free and they are offered in partnership with local banks like Southcoast Credit Union and Bay Coast Bank. They cover important topics like improving credit scores, budgeting, and how to better manage a bank account. These classes take place at the CEDC’s office at 235 North Front Street, which is located in the old Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and rectory building.

Capitol Theater Renovations Nearing

The CEDC has big plans for the future. Williams shared details about a huge project to turn the old Capitol Theater on Acushnet Avenue into a new center that will house several services. The space will include offices for the CEDC and a classroom area for programs like financial literacy and workforce training. There will also be a kitchen space for small business owners to use for their food businesses. Another exciting part of this project is that a branch of Southcoast Credit Union will be moving in, and there will be a health care provider offering services there too. The project is still under construction, but the CEDC hopes to have the building up and running by 2026.  The age of the building makes the project challenging, but the CEDC is excited about the opportunity to bring more services to the heart of the neighborhood.