The
Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership constitutes an economic and cultural partnership between the
Connecticut RiverThe Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, flowing south from the Connecticut Lakes in northern New Hampshire, along the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, through western Massachusetts and central Connecticut into Long Island Sound at Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It has a...
cities of
Springfield, MassachusettsSpringfield is the largest city on the Connecticut River and the county seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States.In the 2000 census, the city population was 154,082. It is the third largest city in Massachusetts and fourth largest in New England...
;
Hartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located in Hartford County on the Connecticut River, north of the center of the state, south of Springfield, Massachusetts. Its 2006 population of 124,512 ranks Hartford as the state's second-largest city, after Bridgeport. New...
; and surrounding towns. Formalized by business and education leaders in 2000 at
the Big EThe Big E, also known as The Eastern States Exposition, is billed as "New England's Great State Fair". The only cross-state agricultural fair in the United States, the fair serves as the de facto state fair for the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode...
in
West SpringfieldThe Town of West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 27,899 at the 2000 census...
, the partnership seeks to engender economic and cultural opportunities for
New EnglandNew England is a region of the United States. It is located at the northeastern corner of the US, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Canada and the state of New York, consisting of the modern U.S...
's second most populous region (after
Greater BostonGreater Boston is the area of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts surrounding the city of Boston. Due to ambiguity in usage, the size of the area referred to can be anywhere between that of the metropolitan statistical area of Boston to that of the city's combined statistical area which includes...
), with 1.86 million residents and 120,000 college students.
The
Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership constitutes an economic and cultural partnership between the
Connecticut RiverThe Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, flowing south from the Connecticut Lakes in northern New Hampshire, along the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, through western Massachusetts and central Connecticut into Long Island Sound at Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It has a...
cities of
Springfield, MassachusettsSpringfield is the largest city on the Connecticut River and the county seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States.In the 2000 census, the city population was 154,082. It is the third largest city in Massachusetts and fourth largest in New England...
;
Hartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located in Hartford County on the Connecticut River, north of the center of the state, south of Springfield, Massachusetts. Its 2006 population of 124,512 ranks Hartford as the state's second-largest city, after Bridgeport. New...
; and surrounding towns. Formalized by business and education leaders in 2000 at
the Big EThe Big E, also known as The Eastern States Exposition, is billed as "New England's Great State Fair". The only cross-state agricultural fair in the United States, the fair serves as the de facto state fair for the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode...
in
West SpringfieldThe Town of West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 27,899 at the 2000 census...
, the partnership seeks to engender economic and cultural opportunities for
New EnglandNew England is a region of the United States. It is located at the northeastern corner of the US, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Canada and the state of New York, consisting of the modern U.S...
's second most populous region (after
Greater BostonGreater Boston is the area of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts surrounding the city of Boston. Due to ambiguity in usage, the size of the area referred to can be anywhere between that of the metropolitan statistical area of Boston to that of the city's combined statistical area which includes...
), with 1.86 million residents and 120,000 college students. The Hartford-Springfield area hosts 32 colleges and universities, and thus received the moniker
Knowledge Corridor from regional boosters.
Hartford and Springfield share a common
Connecticut RiverThe Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, flowing south from the Connecticut Lakes in northern New Hampshire, along the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, through western Massachusetts and central Connecticut into Long Island Sound at Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It has a...
heritage since their respective foundings in 1635 and 1636. During the mid-20th century, the cities shared a dramatic loss of industry during economic restructuring, with movement of the middle class to the suburbs following growth of highways, and disastrous though well-intended
urban renewalUrban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of reconstruction...
projects. Knowledge Corridor initiatives attempt to rectify these problems.
While Hartford and Springfield's urban cores lie only 25 miles apart (with
Bradley International AirportBradley International Airport is a public airport located in Windsor Locks on the border with East Granby, in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is owned by the State of Connecticut....
situated midway between them), the Hartford-Springfield metro region includes outlying cities such as
NorthamptonNorthampton is a city in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 28,978 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hampshire County...
and
AmherstAmherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2000 census, the population was 34,874. The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, three of the Five Colleges...
to the north in Massachusetts's
Pioneer ValleyThe Pioneer Valley is a region consisting of the three counties in Western Massachusetts through which the Connecticut River passes, and especially those towns that are in the lowlands of the Connecticut River Valley...
, and
Middletown, ConnecticutMiddletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
to the south.
The
New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail LineThe New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line is a proposed commuter rail line running from New Haven, Connecticut to Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Current passenger rail access along this corridor is provided through Amtrak 's limited service...
is intended to unite the region and ease residents' dependence on car traffic on
Interstate 91Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north-south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
.
Notable Companies
- Aetna
Aetna, Inc. is an American diversified health insurance company, providing a range of traditional and consumer directed health care insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, group life, long-term care, and disability plans, and medical...
- Hartford
- Lenox Tools- Longmeadow
- Baystate Health- Springfield, MA
- Friendly Ice Cream Corporation
Friendly Ice Cream Corporation is the owner and operator of the Friendly's restaurant chain on the east coast of the United States. Founded in 1935 in Springfield, Massachusetts by two young brothers, 18-year-old Curtis Blake and 20-year-old S. Prestley Blake, their first shop only served...
- Wilbraham
- Gerber Scientific
Gerber Scientific Inc., located in South Windsor, Connecticut, is the parent of companies which provide end-to-end customer solutions to the world's sign making and specialty graphics, ophthalmic lens processing, and apparel and flexible materials industries. They also supply purpose-built software...
- South WindsorSouth Windsor is the name of the following places:*South Windsor, Connecticut, a town in Connecticut, USA*South Windsor, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia...
- The Hartford
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. , usually known as The Hartford, is a Fortune 500 company and one of America’s largest investment and insurance companies. With 2008 revenues of $9.2 billion, The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits;...
- Hartford
- HSB Insurance- Hartford
- Kaman Aircraft
Kaman Aircraft is an American aerospace company, with headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1945 by Charles Kaman. During the first ten years the company operated exclusively as a designer and manufacturer of several helicopters that set world records and achieved many...
- Bloomfield, CT
- Marox- Holyoke
- MassMutual- Springfield, MA
- Northeast Utilities
Northeast Utilities is a publicly-traded, Fortune 500 energy company headquartered in Berlin, Connecticut, with several regulated subsidiaries offering retail electricity and natural gas service to more than 2 million customers in New England....
- Berlin, CT
- Phoenix Wealth Management- Hartford
- Pratt-Whitney- East Hartford
- Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is the largest manufacturer of handguns in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistols and revolvers have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world...
- Springfield, MA
- Spalding
Spalding is a sporting goods company founded by Albert Spalding in Chicago in 1876 and now headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts. The company specialises in the production of balls for many sports, being perhaps most well known for its basketballs, but it also makes a range of products for...
- Springfield, MA
- The Stanley Works- New Britain, CT
- United Technologies- Hartford
- Yankee Candle- South Deerfield
Public college and universities
- University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut is the State of Connecticut's land-grant university. It was founded in 1881 and serves more than 28,000 students on its six campuses, including nearly 8,000 graduate students in multiple programs....
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts is a selective research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts...
- Eastern Connecticut State University
Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, coeducational liberal arts university and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Eastern is located in Willimantic, Connecticut on . Founded in 1889, it is the second-oldest campus in the Connecticut State University System...
- Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University is a state university in New Britain, Connecticut. It is the oldest public university in Connecticut and ranks third oldest of all universities in Connecticut, having been founded in 1849.-History:...
- Charter Oak State College
Charter Oak State College is a 4-year public liberal arts college in the Connecticut State system of higher education. The college is located in New Britain, Connecticut across the street from Central Connecticut State University's Mildred Barrows Hall, and is named for Connecticut's famous Charter...
- Westfield State College
Westfield State College is a comprehensive, coeducational, four-year public college. It is the most residential of the Massachusetts state colleges and is located about 20 minutes from Springfield, at 577 Western Avenue, in Westfield, Massachusetts. The college is most recognized for its Criminal...
Community and technical colleges
- Asnuntuck Community College
Asnuntuck Community College is a community college in Enfield, Connecticut. It offers associate degree and certificate programs. The mission of Asnuntuck Community College is to offer quality education in an accessible, affordable, and nurturing environment.- HISTORY :Asnuntuck Community College...
- Capital Community College
Capital Community College is a community college in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. The only public undergraduate institution in the City of Hartford, Capital's roots date to 1967 with the founding of Greater Hartford Community College. In 1992 Capital merged with Hartford State Technical...
- Greenfield Community College
Greenfield Community College is a two-year Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1962, currently has an annual enrollment of 3,000, is regionally known for its art program, its friendly small-town atmosphere, and its beautiful setting amid picturesque old farmland at...
- Holyoke Community College
Holyoke Community College is a state-funded public two-year community college located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It offers associate degrees as well as a transfer program for students to earn credits for transfer to other colleges...
- Manchester Community College
Manchester Community College is a community college in Manchester, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA. Founded in 1963, it is the third-oldest of the twelve community colleges governed by the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Community-Technical Colleges and has graduated more than 23,000...
- Middlesex Community College
- Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield Technical Community College better known as STCC is a two-year community college in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the United States.-History:...
- Tunxis Community College
Named after the Tunxis Indian Tribe, Tunxis Community College is a two-year public college located in Farmington, Connecticut. It opened 1970 and is currently one of the twelve colleges in the Connecticut Community Colleges system.-External links:*...
Private college and universities
- American International College
American International College is a private, co-educational liberal-arts college located in the Mason Square neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts.-History:...
- Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 1821, it is the third oldest college in Massachusetts, and has been coeducational since 1975...
- Bay Path College
Bay Path College is a private undergraduate women's college located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The College offers online and on campus Graduate Programs for both men and women, and One-Day-A-Week Saturday College for adult women....
- Elms College
The College of Our Lady of the Elms, often called Elms College or simply Elms, is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Founded as a girls' academy in 1899, it became a women's college in 1928 and started admitting men in 1998.- History :Elms was founded as an girls'...
- Goodwin College
Goodwin College is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational college located in East Hartford, Connecticut.Founded in 1999, the college traces its roots to The Data Institute Business School, a career-training school founded in 1962...
- Hampshire College
Hampshire College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1970 as an experiment in alternative education, to be in association with four other colleges in the Pioneer Valley: Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of...
- Hartford Seminary
Hartford Seminary is a theological college in Hartford, Connecticut, USA.-History:Hartford Seminary's date to 1833. However it was not until 1913 that the seminary came into existence through the combination of three schools; the School for Christian Workers, the Bible Normal School and Hartford...
- Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts college for women in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It is a member of the Seven Sisters and one of the oldest women's colleges in the United States...
- Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
- Springfield College
Springfield College is a college located in Springfield, Massachusetts, most notable for being the site of the first basketball game. It is located on Watershops Pond, approximately two miles from Springfield's downtown...
- Western New England College
Western New England College is a private college in Springfield, Massachusetts. It began as an off-site evening division of Northeastern College and became independent in 1951.-History:...
- Rensselaer at Hartford
Rensselaer at Hartford is the Hartford, CT branch of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, NY. Until 1997, it was known as the Hartford Graduate Center. The primary focus of the institution is still to offer graduate-level education for working professionals...
- Saint Joseph College
- Trinity College
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University...
- University of Hartford
The University of Hartford, often called UHA or UHart, is a private, independent, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in West Hartford, Connecticut. It was chartered through the joining of the Hartford Art School, Hillyer College, and The Hartt School in 1957.The University attracts...
- Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. Founded under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church and with the support of prominent residents of Middletown, the now secular university was the first institution of higher...
Cultural institutions and attractions
- Connecticut Science Center
The Connecticut Science Center is a nine-story museum located on the Connecticut River in Hartford, Connecticut designed by César Pelli & Associates. It opened on June 12, 2009...
- Eastern States Exposition ("Big E")
- Connecticut State Capitol
The Connecticut State Capitol is located on Bushnell Park in the Connecticut capital of Hartford. The building houses the State Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, and several legislative...
- Wadsworth Atheneum
The Wadsworth Atheneum is the oldest public art museum in the United States, with significant holdings of French and American Impressionist paintings, Hudson River School landscapes, modernist masterpieces and contemporary works, as well as extensive holdings in early American furniture and...
- Mark Twain House
The Mark Twain House and Museum was the home of Mark Twain from 1874 to 1891 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Before 1874, Twain had lived in Hannibal, Missouri. The architectural style of the 19-room house is Victorian Gothic...
in Hartford
- Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honors exceptional basketball players, all-time great coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game.Named after basketball inventor Dr...
- Springfield Armory
The Springfield Armory was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military small arms and the site of many important technological advances in gun manufacture. Many different models produced at the armory from 1794 to 1968 were referred to as "Springfield rifles"...
- The Quadrangle
The Quadrangle is the heart of the city of Springfield, Massachusetts' cultural community. Four museums, the city's central library, and the National Dr. Seuss Memorial are all located facing a small park at the corner of State and Chestnut Streets, on the edge of city's downtown district...
in Springfield
- Yankee Candle Company
The Yankee Candle Company is the largest U.S. manufacturer of scented candles. The company is located in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.-History:...
- Six Flags New England
Six Flags New England, or SFNE, and formerly called Riverside Amusement Park, is a theme park in the Six Flags chain of parks, named for the New England region in which it is located. Located off of Massachusetts State Route 159, Six Flags New England is located in greater Springfield,...
in Agawam
- Springfield Symphony Orchestra
- Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest river in New England, flowing south from the Connecticut Lakes in northern New Hampshire, along the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, through western Massachusetts and central Connecticut into Long Island Sound at Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It has a...
- Various state parks and recreation areas
- New England Air Museum
- "Bright Nights" and the Zoo at Forest Park
Forest Park, on the banks of the Connecticut River in Springfield, Massachusetts, is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, lying on 735 acres of land....
- Sports, including hockey, golf, basketball
- Historic Deerfield
- Old State House in Hartford
- Hill-Stead Museum
External links