> Harry Freeman
Harry Freeman
Harry was a leader in the field of Connecticut economic development for twelve years, first as Economic Development Director for the Town of Windsor from 1992 until 2000 and then as Executive Director of the Hartford Economic Development Commission from 2000 until 2004. In April 2004, he became a principal in a real estate development company, HD2 Development, LLC. In February 2005 Harry purchased Bart's Drive-In Restaurant in Windsor, CT. In Windsor, he developed and implemented an aggressive economic development program that focused on both small and large business retention and recruitment. The program was the most successful one in the State of Connecticut with over 8,000 new jobs brought to Windsor and over 3 million square feet of space filled. The key to this success was instilling a culture of always providing exceptional customer service. One example was his development of the "gold standard" streamlined approval process where major projects could go from initial plan submission to "shovels in the ground" in six weeks. Harry also established a comprehensive marketing program and a very successful international business recruitment program. In fact, he was the only economic development professional selected to accompany Governor John G. Rowland on his Trade Mission to Israel. Harry was a Charter Director of both the Bradley Development League (BDL) and FirstTown Downtown (Windsor's Main Street organization). In Hartford, Harry established an urban economic development organization structured as a public/private partnership. He developed the organizational structure, goals, and objectives, and hired/directed all staff. Under Harry's direction, HEDC created a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Hartford, helped facilitate over $2 billion of development and recruited to, or established in, the city an average of seventy new small businesses and fifteen corporations annually. Harry also was instrumental in the formation of the Upper Albany Main Street program. Harry's development company, HD2 Development, is involved with a multitude of projects ranging from large retail developments, to mixed-use developments, to hotels, to residential. Harry and his partners purchased Bart's Drive-In because of their commitment to their community and their desire to restore an icon of the community. Harry has received numerous awards including being one of the few named twice to the list of the Forty Under Forty Movers and Shakers by the Hartford Business Journal. He serves on several Boards of Directors, including Windsor Chamber of Commerce, National Theatre of the Deaf, the Windsor Historical Society and Congregation Beth Ahm. Harry is President of Congregation Beth Ahm. |
