Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1409819
THERE ARE14 FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES IN CONNECTICUT Nearly half, or six, are in the Hartford/East Hartford/ Middletown MSA. 5 LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN HARTFORD LABOR MARKET AREA • Eversource Energy • The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. • Hartford Hospital • Pratt & Whitney • St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center Source: Connecticut Department of Labor KEY INDUSTRIES IN CONNECTICUT • Aerospace/defense • Bioscience/health care/medical • Film, TV, digital media • Financial services • Green technology • Insurance • Manufacturing • Technology innovation Source: Connecticut Department of Labor The region's skilled workforce is one of its key aractions, Thames said. "It used to be the case that people move to where the jobs are. But now, compa- nies are moving to where the talent is." What does the talent find in Hartford? People are drawn by Hartford's proximity to larger cities like New York and Boston. They also appre- ciate the relatively lower cost and slower pace of living. Hartford is a city. But it is a short drive to parks and recreational areas that allow people to forget they live in one of the most densely populated states in the U.S. "You can be in the city one day, exploring museums and restaurants, and hiking trails in Farmington the next," said Charles Lee, scientific director and professor at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, a biomedical research institution in Farmington. The appeal extends beyond families. Hartford ranked No. 1 as a millennial magnet in the 2021 rankings report by Business Facilities magazine, a leading publication for corporate site selectors. The magazine described Hartford as a magnet for tech talent, as well, citing the expan- sion of companies like HCL Technologies, Infosys and GalaxE. Solutions, as well as the empha- sis on InsurTech — technology companies that support the insurance industry. "With a lower cost of living and a unique balance of city and country life, young professionals are increasingly drawn to the Hartford region," according to Business Facilities magazine. THE BUSHNELL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is the spot for live theater. STEVE LASCHEVER PHOTOGRAPHY 8 HBJ HARTFORD LIVE WORK PLAY