Hartford County is a unique destination where country sunshine and outdoor adventures are just a short drive from the culture, excitement and entertainment of a capital city. Tour the home of writer Mark Twain or spend time mingling with over 5,000 years of art at the Wadsworth Atheneum. Or explore history when you tour the Old State House, the oldest in America. This special part of New England is filled with year-round vacation possibilities: romantic getaways, spring garden tours, summer concerts and fall foliage are all here in the 21 towns of Connecticut's Capital Getaway.

First settled in 1634, Hartford County is within easy driving distance of many area cities including Providence (77 miles), Boston (106 miles) and New York (129 miles).

Central Connecticut's economy is as diverse as its people. Historically, the Region's primary business was manufacturing. This sector remains important today. The Region is home to such Fortune 500 manufacturers as The Stanley Works and Barnes Group. Small and medium size manufacturers are the backbone of the Region's economy, making a diverse mix of products ranging from springs to hardware, from aircraft engine parts to medical instruments. In addition to final products, many manufacturers provide specialized subcontracting services including cutting, polishing, coating, heat treating, and tooling for manufacturing of metal and other component parts.

Within a ten-mile radius of the Central Connecticut Region, there is a resident population of almost 1 million persons, of which 450,000 are employed. The Northeast Market within 500 miles of the Region includes 33% of the U.S. population and 68% of Canadian residents. This market also includes 34% of U.S. manufacturing establishments and 67% of Canadian establishments.