The operators of downtown Hartford’s Infinity Hall estimate they bring upwards of 80,000 annual visitors to Hartford through shows at the 500-seat theater, performances they organize at the Old State House and the Capitol Groove summer concerts in Bushnell Park.
Now, the for-profit group Goodworks Infinity is asking the Capital Region Development Authority for a $50,000 annual subsidy. They aim to draw a matching contribution from the city’s corporate community.
GoodWorks Infinity partner Dave Rosenfeld told the CRDA board Thursday his organization has managed to bring dozens of shows to its Front Street theater annually and launched concerts in other city venues.
“So, we’re hoping that the board will see this investment in the Front Street community as good business, and not too significant a commitment,” Rosenfeld told the CRDA Board of Directors at a meeting Thursday. “We just need a little ongoing support so we can continue to drive traffic to Front Street and build on the great musical experiences we provide all year round…”
GoodWorks’ contributions to Hartford were praised by Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam at Thursday’s meeting.
“I think that the types of events that GoodWorks is putting on are the types that tend to bring people into our city from even beyond state boundaries and tend to be people who get hotel rooms and stay in, get drinks and food and patronize our city and find out about our city,” Arulampalam said.
Arulampalam noted the city is counting on a share of proceeds from the Capital Groove festival to fund a newly created city Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment.
Board members questioned if the requested grant matches CRDA’s mandate. The quasi-public economic development agency is largely focused on subsidizing multifamily development, and the maintenance and operation of large-scale public facilities like the Connecticut Convention Center, XL Center and Rentschler Field.
Rosenfeld noted his theater is a major driver of traffic to shops and restaurants in Hartford’s Front Street district. It is an area administered to a degree by the CRDA.
“You make all of these investments in the infrastructure of Hartford,” Rosenfeld said. “We want to make sure that the experiences of that infrastructure are really well received and populated. That’s our goal, is to bring traffic.”
Goodworks’ request will be further vetted by CRDA committees before possibly coming before the full board for a vote.
