Success is measured by results and Hartford is in the business of achieving positive outcomes - positioning itself for growth, despite a tremendously difficult economy.

In the past several months, Hartford has, first, gained confidence in its financial future by restoring $2.8 million to its "rainy day fund" and we continue to have a fully compensated pension fund.

Secondly, Hartford is open for business. We're hiring police officers and firefighters - the first line of defense for Homeland Security - as we continue to build our state of the art public safety complex. Construction jobs are also available, especially to our local companies and residents, as we build a library branch in an economically challenged neighborhood where education, training, and computer access will help lift folks out of poverty.

Our investment in the Arts and Heritage Mecca that is Hartford has retained and created hundreds of employment opportunities - to the point that federal grants are now supporting efforts to knit together our cultural entertainment, historic parks, and diverse businesses through an exciting, environmentally sound and artistically showcased efforts called iQuilt. Combine this with Hartford being a recipient of the Greening America's Capitals Project to utilize green and sustainable practices along major arteries and into neighborhoods and put it all under the umbrella of our One, City, One Plan for conservation and development for the next 10 years, and Hartford is demonstrating a strong and enlightened vision to lead not only as a city, but as the "face" for the region and state.

Looking ahead and building excitement and momentum is tremendous. However, Hartford also has a lot to boast about right now. We're adding more feet on the street: Saint Joseph College is opening its School of Pharmacy in our Central Business District. This means an additional 300 people - students and faculty - who will live, work, shop, dine, and be entertained here.

Within months, the Front St. development will be welcoming residents and visitors alike to new shops and venues that will connect the Central Business District with the riverfront, including our Convention Center, celebrated hotels, and the nationally recognized Connecticut Science Center.

There are even more connections to be made thanks to promising economic development efforts. The H.B. Davis building - a deteriorated building that's become an eyesore over the years - is coming down. Soon, it will be ready for development to connect all the progress we have made downtown to across I-84, which has been a barrier of sorts to the progress made in our adjacent neighborhoods. This strings together the progress of the before mentioned public safety complex to our nationally recognized Capital Preparatory Magnet School to our YMCA, library, and internationally renowned Artists Collective, founded by the late, great jazz saxophonist Jackie McLean.

This might all sound like a "wow" factor if you are reading about Hartford for the first time or haven't checked us out in a while. Truth be known, Hartford can't make this kind of progress without partners - at all levels - government, business and community.

There's a lot happening now and much more is on the horizon. To some, Hartford is only known as the "Insurance Capital of the World." To others, it is a hidden treasure with a host of history that's waiting to be rediscovered. Hartford is celebrating a milestone anniversary. We're 375 years old - now that's a benchmark for measuring progress and success.