Mayor John Horhn

In his first State of the City Address, Mayor John Horhn highlighted significant progress across public safety, infrastructure, housing, community engagement, and economic development, underscoring that Jackson’s renewal is being driven by collaboration, resilience, and collective action. 

Mayor Horhn reported that Jackson’s homicide rate dropped by 43% compared to the previous year, crediting prevention efforts, community partnerships, and technology-driven policing. The city conducted seven listening sessions as part of a community-centered search for a new police chief and established a Law Enforcement Task Force to address youth crime and strengthen coordination among local and Capitol police. The Fire Department led 65 community programs, installed residential smoke alarms, and secured $2 million for an early alert fire safety system.

The Mayor announced more than $125 million secured for infrastructure improvements through the 1% sales tax, bonds, and special funds, including $40 million for resurfacing and storm drain projects. Jackson finalized a new partnership with Hinds County for pothole repairs and redirected $54 million in federal funding to JXN Water’s operations and maintenance, ensuring more flexible day-to-day management. To beautify city gateways, the administration launched CleanJXN Gateway Beautification Day to revitalize key corridors, including West Capitol and Fortification Streets.

On housing and community development, Mayor Horhn created a Housing Task Force to protect tenants’ rights and prevent unsafe living conditions, as well as an Unhoused Task Force to address homelessness and housing insecurity. Jackson is working with nonprofits to prevent evictions during service disruptions and to transform vacant lots into green spaces and urban farms. For the first time, the Mississippi Development Authority has assigned a dedicated project officer to Jackson to connect the city with new state-level economic opportunities.

The Mayor emphasized economic development and workforce training as key to Jackson’s growth, noting the statewide shortage of 100,000 skilled jobs. He highlighted partnerships with federal and state agencies to attract investment, downtown revitalization, and a new collaboration with The Bean Path to support young entrepreneurs in technology and AI. Mayor Horhn spotlighted youth engagement programs that empower civic participation, plans to reimagine recreation spaces, and a new guaranteed-income pilot with Magnolia Mother’s Trust, providing $1,000 per month to single mothers in public housing.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.