Mayor Andrew Ginther - Democratic Mayors

In his State of the City Address, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther highlighted the city’s progress and shared how his Administration is driving change across the community’s top priorities of housing, safety, mobility, and prosperity for all residents.

Mayor Ginther highlighted a 14% increase in residential construction permits compared to 2023, noting this expansion is expected to create more than 6,000 new units. The city’s Zone In initiative has helped expedite the rezoning and building processes, while affordable housing bonds approved in 2019 and 2022 have funded more than 4,000 new income-qualified rental units. He announced that he will place a $500 million housing bond on the November ballot to further expand the city’s housing stock and infrastructure investments without raising taxes.

The Mayor celebrated a significant drop in violent crime, including a 17% decrease in homicides and a 25% drop in felonious assaults in 2024. These reductions have continued into 2025. Through the Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy and the Clean and Safe Corridor Initiative, Columbus is blending prevention, intervention, and enforcement efforts to create safer neighborhoods. Mayor Ginther also acknowledged growing concerns around domestic violence and committed to addressing the crisis through expanded partnerships and an upcoming plan from the Office of Violence Prevention.

He spotlighted the city’s Economic Mobility Accelerator Program, which provides $500 monthly stipends to residents undergoing job training, helping empower families with resources while preparing them for long-term career growth. Mayor Ginther shared about the upcoming opening of the Franklin County Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Center, a 24/7 facility that will provide walk-in and inpatient services for up to 34,000 people annually. The Mayor also reaffirmed the city’s commitment to youth, announcing efforts to make Columbus the nation’s capital for women’s sports and expanding career pipelines through education and city workforce partnerships.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

More State of the City Addresses

Akron, Ohio

Mayor Shammas Malik

During his third State of the City Address, Mayor Shammas Malik outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework.

Evansville, Indiana

Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mayor Paige Cognetti

Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti delivered her State of the City Address, outlining a six-year turnaround that has taken the city from the brink of financial distress to a position of stability and growth, while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and lower costs for residents. Mayor Cognetti also highlighted Scranton’s financial progress, including three credit rating upgrades since exiting financially distressed status in 2022 and achieving its current A- rating with a stable outlook.