My goal as Mayor of Hartford is to retain and attract more businesses that provide high paying jobs to the Capitol City.

Hartford is home to more than 120,000 jobs.  They are primarily in the fields of finance, insurance, education, health, government, and professional management.  About half of these jobs require a Bachelor’s degree or higher.  And that number will only grow.

In order to increase job opportunities, Hartford itself must have a better-educated workforce.  By 2010, jobs in the computer and mathematical fields will grow by 67 percent.  These high tech jobs pay on average $36,300 more than other private sector jobs.  We must prepare now for this change.

My administration is taking major steps to provide more Internet access to Hartford families.  By building a wireless Internet network called "Wireless Hartford" we can close the digital divide, provide more Hartford families with low-cost computers, provide more residents with computer training, and give more residents and visitors alike the opportunity to access vital information.  This is a pilot project now in the Blue Hills and Downtown neighborhoods, but the goal is to go citywide.  There are 6,000 new users to date and more than 300 Hartford families have benefited from the training and low-cost computer program.

Technology is one job creator and neighborhood economic development is another.  Our Neighborhood Investment Plan is a $50 million venture that will help tranform blighted areas and better connect neighborhoods.  Albany Avenue is a major artery in the City and from the new Performing Arts Center at the University of Hartford all the way up to the new Public Safety Complex where High Street meets Main and Albany--- it is going to be an exciting revitalization.

This is just one example of how Hartford is building on its success.  In 2005 alone, the Hilton Hartford reopened in Downtown Hartford.  More than 120 workers from Hartford retained their positions and almost 100 new jobs were created.  Other Downtown dreams that became realities include the new Connecticut Convention Center and the new Marriot Hotel.  In the meantime, new apartment buildings and retail space are all being completed or built--- changing our skyline and raising our hopes and expectations about Hartford's future.

Other neighborhoods are experiencing this renaissance as well.  A retail shopping center opened at the corner of Main and Pavilion Streets--- that’s in the Clay Arsenal or “Uptown” neighborhood.  Charter Oak Place is now open in the Southwest neighborhood.  This too has provided hundreds of jobs to Hartford residents.  And a development project is underway for the corners of Park and Main Streets in the South Green neighborhood.  This gateway to the Latino business district will provide fertile ground for entrepreneurs.

The construction alone is creating jobs.  One of the most beneficial construction projects to Hartford residents is the construction and renovation of our schools.  Seven schools have been built and six more are underway.  $40 million was awarded already to Minority-Women Business Enterprises, translating into 319,000 working hours and almost $8 million in new wages for Hartford residents.

Education, access, and opportunity--- they are the keys to a bright horizon on Hartford’s job front, because ultimately, it leads to empowerment for the people of this richly diverse City.

 

Eddie A. Perez

Mayor