In the News

Leading East Hartford
January 27, 2026 - Brian and Company

Mayor Martin joined Brian Shactman of popular WTIC morning Show Brian and Company to talk about all things East Hartford...LISTEN HERE

East Hartford unveils new ‘Elevate Here’ branding campaign after $85K rebrand
January 16, 2026 - By Michael Puffer

After two years, an $85,000 rebranding effort for East Hartford has produced a new logo and narrative focused around the slogan “Elevate Here.”...READ MORE

Local CT Leaders Step Up as Federal Cuts Hit School Nutrition
September 2, 2025 - By Kathryn Carley

Connecticut’s summer meals program is reaching more children than ever, just as federal school nutrition funding is being scaled back and communities across the state confront deepening food insecurity...READ MORE

Face the Facts: Building Back East Hartford
August 17, 2025 - with Mike Hydeck

Mayor Martin sits down with Mike Hydeck to discuss the future of leadership in local government, economic development, and community branding and civic pride...WATCH THE VIDEO

East Hartford increases fines for property blight as a warning to landlords, property owners
March 5, 2025 - By Jamila Young

Town officials hope that updates to East Hartford's anti-blight initiatives will serve as a warning to landlords and homeowners to keep their properties up to code and a call to residents to report those who don't. During a press conference Monday, Mayor Connor Martin spoke of several changes the town has made, including increasing property maintenance fines from $100 per day or incident up to as much as $1,000... READ MORE

In CT town, major redevelopment and fresh construction underway
January 31, 2025 - By Don Stacom

As it advances more than a half-dozen major redevelopment projects, East Hartford is ready for a year of demolition and initial construction to bring hundreds of new apartments as well as more businesses, Mayor Connor Martin told residents Thursday night... READ MORE

East Hartford mayor touts progress on large apartment, other developments
January 31, 2025 - By Michael Puffer

From demolition of a portion of the former Founders Plaza office park to the sale of town-owned property for a 400-unit apartment complex, 2025 will be another year to push ahead large-scale economic redevelopment projects in East Hartford. In his “State of the Town” address Thursday night, East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin outlined the headlining economic development projects for the year ahead. Most will be continuation of ambitious, multi-year efforts... READ MORE

What is East Hartford? Officials want to hear from residents for rebranding campaign
November 11, 2024 - By Steven Goode

The town is looking to reinvent itself and is asking residents, visitors, and business owners for their input on how East Hartford is perceived by insiders and outsiders.Town officials and Florida-based North Star Ideas are conducting a yearlong rebranding campaign aimed at making East Hartford more attractive to prospective residents and visitors, as well as how to keep businesses in town... READ MORE

This Week in Connecticut: The Mayors of Hartford and East Hartford make a major announcement
November 3, 2024 - This Week in Connecticut with Dennis House

On This Week in Connecticut with Dennis House, Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and Mayor Connor Martin sit down with Dennis to elaborate on the new task force between Hartford and East Hartford... WATCH HERE

Hartford, East Hartford launch effort to look at shared services between the two
November 1, 2024 - By Lee Enochs

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin Thursday announced they are forming a regional task force to promote economic growth, community development and enhanced resident services through shared services and efficiency... READ MORE

'Everything is on the table': Hartford, East Hartford explore consolidation of municipal services
October 31, 2024 - By Chris Polansky

The city of Hartford and town of East Hartford will explore “centralization and consolidation” of some municipal services, local officials said Thursday. Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin made the announcement at a press conference held above the Connecticut River at the midway point of the Founders Bridge linking the two municipalities...READ MORE
 

East Hartford gets grant to revitalize downtown area, push forward with Bissell Street vision
September 27, 2024 - By Jeremy Chen

East Hartford is working to shape downtown into a destination for a night out. The town has received money from the state to revitalize the area to attract more visitors and get community members to stay... READ MORE

Demolition underway for a major project in one CT town. '2024 is East Hartford's year to shine'
March 19, 2024 - By Steven Goode

A day many years in the making took place Monday at the Silver Lane Plaza, where heavy equipment began dismantling the main building, starting with the former Je Mart Asian grocery store on the plaza's west side.... READ MORE
 

East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin’s vision for Main Street includes a ‘Parkville Market East’
February 3, 2024 - By Steven Goode

Development, development, and more development. It's clear that's what Mayor Connor Martin has in mind for his town. Martin, speaking at town hall meeting Thursday, said he envisions a revitalized Main Street area, with streetscape and traffic-calming improvements, as well as the possibility of traffic circles in high accident areas... READ MORE
 

New East Hartford mayor Martin aims to land big projects queued up by predecessor — and revive downtown
December 11, 2024 - By Michael Puffer

Newly elected and recently sworn in East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin comes into office with an array of ambitious economic development projects either underway or in process.“As (former Mayor Michael Walsh) got the ball rolling on all of these projects, what’s important is that my administration sees them to the finish line,” said the 32-year-old Democratic mayor during a recent interview... READ MORE
 

East Hartford's new mayor, its youngest and first mayor of color, wants to shed 'poor community' label
November 13, 2023 - By Jamila Young

As East Hartford's youngest mayor and its first mayor of color, 32-year-old Connor Martin is ready to put what he sees as his unique vision to work to try and revitalize the town. Martin, who was former Mayor Mike Walsh's Chief of Staff, officially became East Hartford's mayor Monday morning. Surrounded by his family, friends and public supporters, Martin was sworn in by Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz at the town's Cultural Community Center...READ MORE