East Hartford is on the brink of a period of economic growth and development

As we realize our Master Plan of Development for Rentschler Field, support the expansion of Goodwin College, and attract technology-based companies to the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) incubator, it is clear that we are on the brink of an amazing period of economic growth and development. We are thrilled about the changes in East Hartford's immediate Future. Clearly, there's no better place to be. Join the move to East Hartford. Come and see how East Hartford works for your business, the surrounding community, and for you. The opportunity to build your brilliant future, here in East Hartford, starts today. Staff and commissioners work tirelessly to assure that businesses and new development successfully navigate our regulatory system and receive the assistance they need. The East Hartford Redevelopment Agency recently approved construction of a 15,000 s/f medical office building and St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center is the newest tenant at Gateway Plaza on Main St. Rentschler Field Development Company can maximize opportunities for business within the Rentschler Field Area. Cabela's at Rentschler Field is the third highest grossing sales outlet in their chain of outdoor experience retail outlets. This area is zoned under a master plan of development. Businesses conforming to the master plan only require site plan approval to begin construction. Our Development Department staff can help your business be the next great thing that happens in East Hartford. Email them at ajensen@ehworks.com The high-tech sector is the fastest growing segment of Connecticut's economy - and East Hartford's. We're wired for the 21st century with a fiber optic telecommunications hub that serves all of southern New England. Technology businesses that locate in East Hartford will be in good company with neighbors like United Technologies Research and Development Center, Advanced Fuel Research, Alert Scientific, Cardinal Health, Ciencia, Inc, Computer Sciences Corporation and Dur-a-Flex. Join Pratt and Whitney, a leader in aviation and technology innovation for over 80 years. The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology has a mission to lead innovation by working in partnership with industry, government and academia to develop new technologies. CCAT's incubator, the Connecticut Regional Innovation Center, has space for start-up and small technology-based companies, especially those seeking technologies for fuel cell, laser, nanomaterial, medical device or aerospace markets. Housing choices abound. Experience luxury high-rise living at Riverpoint condominiums, historic homes from the 1700s through the Victorian era in many neighborhoods. Choose an affordable active adult community at Phillips Farm and Goodwin Village. East Hartford sports an 18-hole public golf course and a riverfront walkway system with a boat launch on the Connecticut River. Recreation activities include many musical venues throughout the year such as the Podunk Bluegrass Festival and free summer concerts in the parks. Join us as the college football season begins at Rentschler Stadium with UCONN vs. Hofstra on August 30, 2008. Big East games include Cincinnati, Pitt and West Virginia. Goodwin College is constructing a $38 million building on the Connecticut River, which is projected to be completed near the end of 2008. This six-story building will include 39 technologically advanced classrooms, six state of the art science labs, computer labs, a 700-seat auditorium, a student lounge, community rooms, a café, and a library and media center within its 107,000 s/f of construction. The Town of East Hartford has supported this development by making available EPA Brownfield Grants for Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments as well as a $3 million grant from the Connecticut Development Authority to Goodwin for remediation and infrastructure funding. During the fall 2007 semester, more than 1,400 students attended Goodwin College. Annually, approximately 2,500 students benefit from the educational experiences offered at the college. Development staff serves individuals and businesses through our weekly land use meetings, co-ordinated by the economic development specialist, Aya Jensen. These meetings give people a chance to speak with all town departments that may require licenses, permits or other sign offs that govern the successful receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy for a business. East Hartford is a great place to grow your business, visit us at www.ehworks.com. Melody Currey is mayor of the Town of East Hartford.