New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell delivered his annual State of the City Address virtually on October 21, sharing updates on COVID-19 recovery efforts as well as accomplishments regarding the police and school departments, local small businesses, and the fishing industry.
The city is set to receive $64 million in federal relief funding, which “affords us a chance to grow the pie and reset the discussion about the importance of the city reinvesting in itself,” Mayor Mitchell said. He is submitting an outline of how the funds should be invested with the City Council in the near future.
The City of New Bedford continues to become a safer place to live, Mayor Mitchell said, thanking the Police Department and Neighborhood Task Force for their role in reducing crime rates.
“In 2020, as violent crime skyrocketed in cities across the country, it dropped in New Bedford some 5%. Property crime fell 21%. This continues a record of success over the last five years in which crime overall in the city has fallen 39%, one of the sharpest declines in the country,” he said.
Mayor Mitchell also celebrated the city’s rebounding economy and growing food scene. New Bedford has had more restaurants open than close during the pandemic.
Read his full State of the City Address here.
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