Hartford Business Journal

12 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 8, 2024 5 TO WATCH Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam officially took office at the start of this year. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER New Hartford Mayor Arulampalam's economic development agenda: make city more approachable for business By Michael Puffer mpuffer@hartfordbusiness.com A s newly inaugurated Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam begins his first term, his early economic development strategy is focused on making city government easier for businesses to approach. That will include, among other actions, the appointment of a new economic development director and creation of a new position respon- sible for helping small businesses navigate bureaucracy and grow in the Capital City. Arulampalam said there will be other staffing changes as well. "One thing I heard pretty consis- tently from businesses while I was running for office was, even though there was a pro-business adminis- tration at City Hall, oftentimes it was difficult to get things done at develop- ment services," Arulampalam said. Arulampalam, 38, said he also plans to better coordinate the city's economic development, land use review and inspections staff around a common goal of easing customer access and service. "I think it is an ethos of collab- oration and a culture of working together and being focused on the progress of the city of Hartford," Arulampalam said. Arulampalam said he will quickly move to create an "Office of the Small Business Advisor." Here, prospective and current small busi- ness owners will find help navigating city requirements, including the permitting process. That should result in "real progress" within the first 100 days of the new administration in reducing wait times for inspection approvals or permits, he said. Arulampalam has worked in corpo- rate law and public service, giving him some experience in govern- ment operations and a window into business needs. After graduating from the Quin- nipiac University School of Law in 2014, Arulampalam was hired by Hartford law firm Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, where he spent five years as an associate. In 2019, he was appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont to be deputy commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection. In 2021, he took over as CEO of the Hartford Land Bank, which has a mission to turn dilapidated residential properties into new homeownership opportunities for local residents. Challenges and opportunities Arulampalam is leading the city at a time when Hartford is working to regain economic devel- opment momentum lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the close of the third quarter of 2023, 27.9% of the 7.9 million square feet of office space available ARUNAN ARULAMPALAM Mayor City of Hartford Education: Law degree, Quin- nipiac University School of Law; bachelor's degree, international studies, Emory University Age: 38 tive option for individuals who want to pursue a higher education. CT State will continue to promote its nursing and health sciences curric- ulum, as Maduko noted the health- care industry has high job demand. CT State is partnering with healthcare systems around Connecticut to increase its student population and expand its programs, Maduko said. "By promoting all of these great amenities and offerings we have — it can translate to an increase in revenue for the college," Maduko said. High school students also repre- sent a growth opportunity. Young people may opt for early college or dual enrollment — taking college courses while still in high school. These options are increasingly popular in many states and help get more people into the workforce pipeline, he said. Currently, only about 3% of CT State's credit-bearing students come from high schools, according to Maduko, who aims to increase that percentage. The National Student Clearing- house Research Center reported in May 2023 that community college enrollment nationwide had grown slightly compared to the prior spring, up 0.5%, or 22,000 students. The center attributed the recent growth to an increase in freshman and dual-enrolled high school students, with the latter seeing an 8% increase. Education, industry partnerships Maduko said focusing on manufac- turing programs — to help to address the industry's ongoing demand for workers — is another priority. CT State has existing partnerships with Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Stanley Black & Decker. It also provides advanced manufac- turing training at its own campuses, technical high schools and in correctional facilities. "We want to do our part to close that gap as it relates to the shortage in the advanced manufacturing work- force," Maduko said. Maduko also is engaging with various industry leaders to learn what courses and programs should be offered, so students have the skills employers want. Robotics, artificial intelligence and automation are in particular demand, he noted.

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