Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1170674
2019 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 13 that one person that they can call, to really walk them through the process when it comes to opening up or expanding a business here in the city." The second common theme is to help people take advantage of Hartford's many attractions and, in doing so, boost the small business community. "It's not just about going to the Bushnell – it's about going the Bushnell and having dinner at a local restaurant. How do we ensure that people truly experience what Hartford has to offer? So again, it's trying to create that vibrancy by collectively working together, and not in silos." Third, he said, is marketing the city as a whole, including its neighborhoods. Opportunities to do so can arise anywhere in the city, at any time. MetroHartford Alliance CEO David Griggs offered an example. He said past investments in the city were largely responsible for the NCAA tournament being held at the XL Center in downtown Hartford in late March, "and the partnership that went into presenting Hartford to the world on that stage was fantastic." About 25,000 people from all over the country showed up to attend the event, and many also attended an outdoor party on Pratt Street – closed to traffic for the occasion – that showcased the region's breweries. "That was an idea that came out of the chamber," said Griggs. "It was a really wonderful opportunity for us to highlight the great things about Hartford to a national and, in some cases, global audience." By the end of March, "Party on Pratt" and "Hartford Chamber of Commerce" had received more than 12 million social media impressions, he said. "It's about getting the word out, using these opportunities to entertain the tourists and visitors, some of whom are people who are making business decisions and may be deciding where to locate a future business. For that to happen, somebody has to know who we are, and often, the first way someone knows who we are is through tourism." Concepción said the idea for the party came from his listening tour and discussions about the success of Hartford's four breweries. "They [the breweries] said, 'You have a huge event coming to Hartford. How do we make sure we have a stake in that?' We decided to take Hartford flavors to the street and leverage the tournament into a really great experience. Everyone came together to work on this – from the breweries and distilleries to Hartford Print, HPD, and the parking authority," he said. "It's not just one individual or one entity doing it by themselves." Moving forward, he said, "one of the things that David and I have talked about is that we shouldn't have the chamber on the fifth floor of a building. We have to have a street presence where people can come in – something of a welcome center, where tourists, visitors, even residents who might not know where to go on a particular day, can get the information they need to enjoy the city." Like Bridgeport, Hartford has been engaging in smart growth for years, with numerous downtown housing units coming onto the market and exciting attractions being added, from the Connecticut Science Center to Dunkin' Donuts Park (home of the Yard Goats) to a professional soccer stadium, home to the newly minted Hartford Athletic. And more visionary developments are on the horizon. As part of a planned makeover of the section of I-84 that currently divides the city, plans are afoot to lower and reconfigure the highway, build a new multimodal station, and create housing, retail and office space just steps from Bushnell Park. In August, the city of Hartford announced that it was moving forward with a $200 million plan to redevelop properties around Dunkin' Donuts Park at the gateway to the city's north end. The "DoNo" project, once completed, will include housing, offices, shops and parking. In June, the city approved the first phase, expected to include 200 apartments, 11,000 square feet of community and retail space, and a 250-spot parking garage. Mayor Luke Bronin said he's hopeful the mixed-use development will also include a grocery store. Meanwhile, HCC, the MetroHartford Alliance, the city of Hartford and a cadre of agencies, businesses and individuals are continuing to collaborate as they work to reimagine, rebuild, and revive Connecticut's capital city. A lot of progress has already been made, including the opening of UConn's Hartford campus in 2017 after years of planning. That development has pumped new life into the area near the Connecticut Convention Center, adding "feet on the street" and infusing the city with another cohort of young people who are living downtown and patronizing the restaurants, shops and other attractions. Said Griggs, "I think we're doing well. When you look at downtown Stamford and the presence that UConn has there, you can begin to dream about where we can go with Hartford. UConn's downtown campus is brand new. We need to nurture it and help it grow – and remove obstacles so they can be a significant part of the activity and vibrancy in our downtown core. There are examples for us to look at, and opportunities for us to emulate." Julio Concepción is the executive director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: URBAN DEVELOPMENT