The City of Hartford is a stand-alone community but still belongs to the greater metro area of Milwaukee.

Hartford's quality of life is supported by the safe rural character and the hard working people of the community and its surrounding Kettle Moraine areas. Recreational programs and facilities are outstanding. Within the city boundaries alone, there are 18 park facilities.  The Hartford Recreation & Signicast Aquatics Center, opened in July of 2000 and the Schauer Arts & Activities Center, inaugurated on December 17, 2000 are both wonderful additions to the community's quality of life.

Under the motto "live where you work", the HADC has successfully promoted the creation of reasonably priced housing, as planned economic development needs to balance employment growth with housing availability.

To foster economic development the HADC works with many agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Forward Wisconsin, Wisconsin Economic Development Association Inc., Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wisconsin Business Incubator Association and the Washington County Economic Development Department.

To promote international business and inward investments the HADC is also a member of the Wisconsin World Trade Center, The International Institute of Wisconsin and The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Chicago, Illinois.

In The HADC's three-decade history, more than 50 local industrial, banking and real estate leaders have served on its Board of Directors. By definition, two elected alderpersons also serve, and there have been more than a dozen different Common Council members appointed for various lengths of time. The Chamber of Commerce appoints one Board member, and a dozen different business leaders have represented the Chamber.