Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz delivered his State of the City Address, themed around people and businesses choosing Toledo and centered on a singular North Star goal of growing the city’s population to 300,000 residents by 2045, the year Toledo will host the U.S. Open at Inverness Club.
Mayor Kapszukiewicz pointed to Toledo’s rare combination of midsize affordability and world-class amenities as proof that the city competes at the highest level, and highlighted the American Numismatic Association’s relocation from Manhattan as a signal of growing national recognition. He also underscored continued progress across key areas, including declining crime since 2021, increased residential road repairs following the 2020 roads levy, improvements to 55% of city parks since 2018, and strong fiscal management marked by back-to-back bond rating upgrades and growth of the city’s rainy day fund from $4.2 million in 2015 to $60 million in 2025.
The Mayor also addressed ongoing challenges, including a $49.4 million structural deficit driven by long-term population loss and declining state and federal support, emphasizing that the city cannot cut its way to stability and must instead focus on growth. He closed by unveiling Toledo’s new strategic plan, built around five priorities: building safe, vibrant, and connected neighborhoods; promoting economic growth and inclusive opportunity; delivering exceptional city services and modernizing infrastructure; securing Toledo’s financial future; and cultivating a thriving workforce, which will guide city operations, investments, and partnerships through the end of his third and final term.
Watch the Mayor’s remarks here.
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