Mayor Keith A. James State of the City

Published on January 30, 2025

Mayor's State of the City

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January 30, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Larry Ganns, Interim Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
lganns@wpb.org

(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

 

Mayor Keith A. James: “Strong and Resilient.”

Mayor James delivers the 2025 State of the City Address before the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

 

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (January 30, 2025.) – Mayor Keith James delivered his 6th Annual State of the City address Thursday, January 30, 2025, before hundreds of Chamber members and guests at the annual breakfast held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The mayor noted the strength and resiliency of the city during a conversation on “Transformation Through Togetherness and Elevation Through Collaboration.”  Mayor James says, “The challenges of the last five years have taught us that the old ways of doing things will no longer cut it.”  And noted that amid a rising local economy, bustling business environment, and impressive reductions in general and violent crimes, the role of municipal government is more important than ever, and “cities must always continue to deliver services.”

 

Core themes and highlights of the 2025 State of the City Address:

 

  • West Palm Beach is the top winner in the prestigious 2025 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Awards for Trending Destinations.

  • Advances made in West Plam Beach are far-reaching and impressive, starting with the economy that supports opportunities for many who learn the basic skills of entrepreneurialism and to start and manage a growing, thriving business through resources like the Mayor’s Jump State Academy.

  • The city has nearly tripled its goal of affordable and workforce housing units.  The mayor has raised the bar to 1,400 new units by the end of his tenure in 2027, leveraging Philanthropic relationships.  

  • The mayor’s commitment to public safety is unwavering. The overall crime and violent crime rates continue to trend downward by double digits. The downward trends directly result from investment in our public safety professionals and engaged residents committed to public safety in their neighborhoods.  This past year, the city approved a new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, including 22% pay increases for officers, sergeants, and lieutenants.

  • The mayor remains committed to ensuring the Police Department meets the highest standards. When standards were not met, the mayor took decisive action to restore trust and replaced the police chief

  • The West Palm Beach Fire Department invested in a new state-of-the-art live saver Tiller or ladder truck to support its fire and rescue services. The department listens to and hears directly from residents, a sentiment of the administration necessary to build a safer and healthier community.

  • The city completed over $30 million worth of infrastructure investments.

  • The Homeless Outreach Team engaged with over 2,700 homeless individuals, connecting hundreds with new housing, families, and mental health services.

  • Vanderbilt University’s proposed Innovation Hub presents a transformative opportunity and investment in our future in tomorrow’s workforce.

  • Cleveland Clinic will expand into West Palm Beach with the first new hospital in downtown West Palm Beach in over a century.

  • The Cox Science Center recently broke ground on a $115 million expansion.

  • The Boys and Girls Club plans a new $13 million facility in Dreher Park

  • The Park opened a world-class golf course and the Path program supporting families with after-school programs, homework, and financial literacy workshops.

  • The Related Together Initiative launched guaranteed tuition-free post-secondary degrees for high school graduates.

  • The city has unique opportunities to work with private sector partners to broaden public access to the arts.

 

The 2025 City of West Palm Beach State of the City Address with Mayor Keith A. James can be viewed on demand at  WPBTV's YouTube Channel.

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About The City of West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City on Florida's Atlantic coast. With a rich history, thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing waterfront City that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the area with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit our official website or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn.

To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY 800 955-8771). For information about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/home

 

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