Mikey’s Barbershop has seen a lot of ups and downs on S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive since it opened in 2005. “Sticking together as a community, we’ve been able to make it through hard times,” said barbershop owner Michael Parker.
That community support continues with the MLK Corridor Improvement Authority (MLKCIA) Entrepreneurial and Real Estate Fund, which recently disbursed $50,000 grants to small businesses located along S. MLK Drive and Prospect Street. Parker says this grant is the boost he needs. “To wake up one morning and have $50,000 sent to you at a time when you really need it, then you know it’s God answering your prayers. I’m thankful for that,” Parker said.
Four other businesses received $50,000 grants: Pryor’s BBQ House, M-Power Fitness, Hampton’s Place, and Jack’s Take Out. The $250,000 in grants come from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds given to the City of Jackson. This funding was made available to support South Side businesses and help them grow. Parker is using the grant to renovate and add on to his barbershop, a former gas station. “By adding four additional barber chairs, this will also bring more employment for residents,” Parker said.
The MLKCIA was launched in 2020 by the City of Jackson to focus on redevelopment in the S. MLK Drive and Prospect Street corridors. The authority uses a portion of existing tax dollars from these areas to reinvest in the neighborhood. It does not bring any new taxes. The authority’s board is made up of residents, business leaders and local officials. Having heard rumors about how the MLKCIA was negatively impacting the neighborhood, Parker says he attended meetings to get an understanding of what was really going on. “With City administration collaborating with South Side residents and businesses, it’s the first time in a long time that people are working together,” Parker said.
John Willis, City staff liaison to the MLKCIA, says the authority will release another $250,000 in grants to South Side businesses later this spring. “The authority is also working on initiatives to bring more housing and business to the neighborhood, along with launching a new street design for S. MLK Drive,” Willis said. Planned for construction in 2025, S. MLK Drive from Morrell to South streets will be completely redesigned to make the street more walkable, livable and ready for redevelopment.
While construction gets started on the barbershop, Parker says he’s also ready for the MLK corridor to get a fresh look. “It’s going to beautify the neighborhood. There’s been different parts of the City that have been upgraded and I believe it’s time for this area to be uplifted,” Parker said.