In her State of the City Address, Mayor Sharetta Smith outlined her administration’s commitment to enhancing Lima’s infrastructure, fostering economic growth, promoting safe neighborhoods, investing in youth programs, and addressing housing needs.
Mayor Smith announced initiatives to support small businesses, including the expansion of contracts through the Lima Mowing Program and investments in critical water and wastewater infrastructure. The city launched the Arctaris-Lima Opportunity Zone Fund, a $25M commitment to invest capital in growing companies and community infrastructure projects located in Lima’s
Opportunity Zones.
Through effective negotiation, the city secured favorable contracts for police and firefighters, contributing to improved public safety. Significant strides were made in crime reduction, with decreases in both violent crime and overall crime rates. Investments in street lighting further enhanced neighborhood safety and security.
Mayor Smith highlighted efforts to streamline housing assistance programs, which resulted in a significant increase in applications and allocations. The Mayor also discussed investments in homeownership initiatives and partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to address housing challenges.
Watch Mayor Smith’s full address here.
At a time when our rights, freedoms, and futures are under threat, Democratic Mayors are showing the nation what real leadership looks like.
