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All Connecticut college students can get discounts at local Hartford businesses with new program

The new College Kickbacks program aims to help students save money while highlighting what the Capitol City has to offer.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Starting Wednesday, all Connecticut college students can get discounts at local Hartford businesses. 

“We want college students to know that Hartford is the place to be,” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said.

The new College Kickbacks program aims to help students save money while highlighting what the Capitol City has to offer.

“Any college student in the state of Connecticut that has an active university ID will be eligible for discounts and dozens of Hartford businesses, everything from restaurants to retail to professional services and entertainment venues,” Julio Concepcion, executive director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, explained.

So far, 40 businesses and venues are participating in the new program. The discounts vary, as they are determined by the individual businesses, but most range from 10-20%. 

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“I'm from Hartford, born and raised and when I went to college, I went to school in Philadelphia., and there wasn't a way to show pride, show pride for Connecticut, represent my home state in Hartford,” Hartford Prints owner Rory Gale said. “So this discount is really close to my heart and I'm so excited that Harford is a college town.” 

The excitement is felt by other local business owners too. 

“When the city and when the Chamber of Commerce can come together and put together a program that helps to fill one of our needs, which is reaching out to these students and marketing our great businesses here in downtown Hartford, it's amazing,” Emrey’s Specialty Sweets & Soda Shop owner Melissa Melonson said.

City leaders said they are reaching out to more businesses to grow the program, but for now, they have a message for students:

“This is your college town,” Arulampalam said. “Don't go to New Haven, don't go to West Hartford, don't go to Middletown. Hartford’s got it. This is the place to be.”

Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on FacebookX and Instagram.

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