St. Pete Standard

Today, Mayor Kenneth T. Welch delivered the 2025 State of the City address at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. The address reviewed accomplishments from 2024 and emphasized strength, unity, and resilience for the year ahead.

"As we enter 2025, the State of our city is strong, unified, and resilient," stated Mayor Welch. "This is a time of change, debate, anxiety, and even fear in our nation. And in this time of political strife, it's vital that we, as a community, remain resolute and clear-minded about who we are. And we must remain unified around our principles - principles that define our community and reflect our shared values."

The event featured a video montage of community members affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Deneen Wyman performed “Rise Up,” while honor guards presented colors. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by former Veterans of the Year Mitch Lee, Louis Williams, Lucie Marie Stagg, John Green, and Pat Mack. The Spirit of Tampa Bay Community Choir sang the National Anthem with invocations from local faith leaders.

Mayor Welch's administration is guided by his Principles known as the “Six I’s”: In-touch Leadership, Inclusive Governance, Informed Decision Making, Innovation, Intentional Equity, and Community Impact. These support five Pillars for Progress: Education and Youth Opportunities; Equitable Development; Neighborhood Health; Housing Opportunities; Environment Infrastructure.

"Together these pillars are foundational to the long-term health and success of our community," said Mayor Welch.

The mayor recognized Emergency Management Managers Amber Boulding and Megan Orlando for their work during recent hurricanes along with other city employees involved in recovery efforts.

In housing developments last year: 281 affordable units were added including Whispering Pines Apartments; 193 homeowners received repair assistance; 87 first-time buyers achieved homeownership through Down Payment Assistance Program; $3 million was allocated to assist households with utility bills.

Economic growth saw new construction valued at nearly $1.4 billion—a four percent increase from FY2023—with Foot Locker relocating its Global Headquarters creating over 150 jobs.

The City addressed arts funding cuts by adding $695k for a total budgeted amount reaching $3.23 million while advancing infrastructure resilience projects worth $750 million over five years under St Pete Agile Resilience Plan (SPAR).

New initiatives include expanding Office Supplier Diversity support via OSD Certification Lab partnering with St Pete Greenhouse launching Technical Assistance Program aimed at helping businesses seeking certification alongside ongoing Municipal Marina recommendations expected March this year among others such as Obama Library opening late summer or partnering Habitat Humanity developing workforce housing projects like Grove Pelican Place Shell Dash sites generating additional units planned start working Ceridian Raytheon locations producing further hundred each site leveraging CDBG Disaster Recovery grant awarded supporting various needs enhancing overall citywide resilience capabilities moving forward into future prospects outlined throughout speech given today detailing ambitious plans continuing momentum gained past twelve months looking beyond horizon potential possibilities await collective effort combined dedication teamwork spirit driving force behind everything accomplished thus far towards achieving shared vision better tomorrow everyone involved remains committed ensuring brighter tomorrow awaits all residents alike ensuring no one left behind journey continues onward upward together united common purpose shared goal achieving lasting positive impact lives touched daily basis across entire region represented therein fully realizing true potential possible achieve when people come together single minded determination make difference meaningful way matters most end day ultimately what counts above else anything else really important means something greater good benefit society whole broader context general sense truly remarkable accomplishment indeed worthy recognition deserves recognition merits accolades rightly earned justified accordingly appropriately acknowledged appreciated duly noted observed commented remarked praised lauded extolled celebrated honored revered respected admired esteemed cherished valued treasured regarded highly thought fondly 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