What an exciting time to be in East Hartford

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 college football season began at Rentschler Stadium with UCONN vs. Maine on September 8th. Cabela's Outdoor Retail Store is stocking its shelves for a mid-October opening. Get a preview of the most spectacular shopping experience at the Big MO'mentum, www.riverfront.org a major fund-raiser for Riverfront Recapture at the Cabela's store on September 20th. 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. Goodwin College is beginning construction on a $34 million building on the riverfront at 211 Riverside Dr. 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 Connecticut Development Authority to Goodwin for remediation and infrastructure funding. Development staff has served 67 individuals or 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. Our brochure is on line to assist business people in understanding how these meetings work. 23 new businesses have moved into town during the past year. These new businesses are listed on the Development website www.ci.East-Hartford.ct.us and updated monthly. The Planning and Zoning Commission took in 161 applications during the Fiscal Year 2006-2007. The East Hartford Redevelopment Agency has been working with several developers over the past year. St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center is the newest tenant at Gateway Plaza on Main St. The Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved a text amendment which would allow for more creative, less impervious development within redevelopment projects. The East Hartford Redevelopment Agency is working with Rentschler Field Development Company to maximize opportunities for business location within the Rentschler Field Area. This area is zoned under a master-plan of development. New 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. East Hartford is the place to be.