A relative newcomer, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam beat out political veterans last year to claim leadership of the city.
Inaugurated Jan. 1, the charismatic and young – age 38 – chief executive has brought together a broad coalition of powerful supporters to help him chart a course for his first term. House Speaker Matthew Ritter (D-Hartford); Andrea Comer, chief of staff to the state treasurer; and Hartford Foundation President Jay Williams led Arulampalam’s transition team before he took office, succeeding former Mayor Luke Bronin.
Arulampalam is working to accelerate hard-fought development momentum following devastating economic blows caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He wants to fill empty storefronts downtown with new retail and entertainment options, an effort being aided by the popular Hart Lift grant program, and shepherd along major multifamily apartment projects, including many started by his predecessor.
He also wants to spread new development beyond the city center.
Arulampalam began his administration with the appointment of new economic development staff, and the creation of a new small business liaison office. Arulampalam said he aims to make Hartford the easiest city in the state in which to conduct business.
He 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.
“One thing I heard pretty consistently from businesses while I was running for office was, even though there was a pro-business administration at City Hall, oftentimes it was difficult to get things done at development services,” said Arulampalam, adding it’s his goal to change that.