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ADDING MULTIMEDIA The Hartford Increases Focus on Asylum Hill Neighborhood a" Provides Funding For The Citya?s Capitol West Pla

^{Published on 2010-11-16 13:30:41 - Market Wire}
 

HARTFORD, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) announced a $7 million investment over five years in the Asylum Hill neighborhood, which has been home to The Hartford for more than 90 years. The investment includes a $2 million contribution to help the city purchase the Capitol West building, take it down, and improve the property. The Hartforda™s Chairman, President and CEO Liam E. McGee, along with the Mayor of Hartford, Pedro E. Segarra, announced the companya™s plans during an event held at the West Middle School in Hartford.

"Capitol West has stifled the growth and connection between Asylum Hill and adjacent neighborhoods, especially our central business district, for more than 10 years"

aEvery day we provide millions of customers with the security and resources they need to achieve their goals and dreams for the future,a said McGee. aWe will bring the same focus to our investment in the greater Hartford community, especially to Asylum Hill. In collaboration with other Asylum Hill community leaders, we want to make a difference for the families that live here, the children who study and play here and for the people who work here.a

At todaya™s event, Mayor Segarra congratulated The Hartford for its commitment to the community.

aCapitol West has stifled the growth and connection between Asylum Hill and adjacent neighborhoods, especially our central business district, for more than 10 years,a said Segarra. aToday, we are thankful that The Hartford has agreed to assist with funding a portion of the cost to demolish the building and help revitalize the Asylum Hill neighborhood and connect it to the tremendous progress throughout our city. Taking down this building and not seeing this eyesore from I-84 will be a symbolic step towards the positive and creative uses we could have in store for this land.a

The Capitol West Building, located on Myrtle Street in Hartford just feet from the Asylum Avenue exit off I-84, is a 170,000-square-foot former office building that was a car dealership in the 1950s. It has been vacant for well over a decade and has long been regarded as one of the city's worst blighted properties.

Overview of Investments in Asylum Hill

As a part of The Hartforda™s commitment to Asylum Hill, the company will support the organizations listed below:

Education: Supporting the Children of Asylum Hill

• [ Junior Achievement ]
• West Middle School Afterschool Alliance, a collaboration between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Asylum Hill Learning Zone and ConnectiKids
• Hartford Public High School
• Covenant Prep

Community Support Services: Access to Opportunities

• Shelter for Women, a subsidiary of [ Village for Families and Children ]

Keys to Neighborhood Revitalization: Public Safety and Homeownership

• [ Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance ]
• The city of Hartford

About The Hartford

Celebrating 200 years of helping its customers achieve whata™s ahead, The Hartford (NYSE: HIG) is an insurance and wealth management company. Through its unique focus on customer needs, the company serves businesses and consumers by providing the products and solutions they need to protect their assets and income from risks and manage their wealth and retirement needs. A Fortune 100 company, The Hartford is recognized widely for its service expertise and as one of the worlda™s most ethical companies. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at [ www.thehartford.com ].

HIG-C

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