Hartford is a central Vermont town located in Windsor County within the bi-state Lebanon-Hanover-Hartford region. Hartford is the largest town within Windsor County and serves as it's primary economic center. Hartford's population expanded by 60% from 1970 to 2000 and is currently over 10,000 people. Faced with a growing and economically diverse population, increasing fiscal pressure from growth, and competition from neighboring New Hampshire, Hartford has decided to prepare it first economic development strategy. For the first phase of the study, the town has requested an analysis of its economy to better understand key economic trends, conditions and needs that should inform its overall goals and strategy. Your assignment is to prepare an economic profile of Hartford that discusses the town's economic performance and structure and draws implications for Hartford's economic development agenda. This profile and analysis will be based on the economic data provided to you and the analytical tools discussed in class. This document provides some additional background information on Hartford, population data and retail market information.

Hartford consists of five distinct villages: White River Junction, Wilder, Hartford, West Hartford, and Quechee. White River Junction, located at the junction of the White and Connecticut Rivers and the intersection of Interstate Highways 91 and 89, is the major commercial and government center for the town and county. Quechee is the home of Quechee Gorge State Park, a major tourist destination, and includes a large planned residential community and resort. While the Connecticut River separates Hartford from the neighboring New Hampshire communities of Lebanon and Hanover, Hartford and Windsor County are linked economically to New Hampshire. Dartmouth College and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, both located in Hanover, are the region's largest employers and economic engines. They bring students, research dollars and businesses to the region. Dartmouth graduates are responsible for many of the region's start-up firms, especially in technology-based fields. Lebanon is the regional retail center, due to its location and the absence of any sales tax in New Hampshire.

Data for Hartford Assignment (PDF)
Employment by Industry Data (PDF)