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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week, I had the honor of delivering my seventh State of the City address before hundreds of business, civic, and community leaders. It was an opportunity to reflect on where we are as a city and where we are going together.
West Palm Beach is not simply growing. We are exceeding expectations, competing on a national stage, and building a future rooted in community. At this defining moment in our city’s 131-year history, opportunity is within reach for more people than ever before, and the state of our City is strong.
Community at the Center
At the heart of my address was a simple truth: West Palm Beach is more than buildings or policies — it is people. Our progress is driven by neighbors showing up for one another, by shared responsibility, and by a collective commitment to dignity, trust, and connection. When we invest in one another, we create a city that is stronger, safer, and more resilient.
A City with National and Global Impact
West Palm Beach is earning national and international attention by design, not by chance. From world-class exhibitions at the Norton Museum of Art to the arrival of major employers and global institutions, our city is emerging as a cultural and economic leader with influence far beyond our borders.
Creating Opportunity at Home
Economic growth must translate into real opportunity for residents. Through initiatives like my Mayor’s Jumpstart Academy, workforce and procurement training programs, and partnerships with institutions such as Vanderbilt University, Cleveland Clinic, and ServiceNow, we are creating pathways for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local talent to launch, grow, and succeed right here at home.
Intentional Growth, Not Accidental Momentum
West Palm Beach has achieved something many cities strive for but few accomplish: guiding momentum instead of being swept up by it. Through deliberate planning, responsible growth standards, infrastructure investments, workforce housing requirements, and people-centered design, reinvestment is reaching neighborhoods long awaiting opportunity.
Building for the Future
We are building a city designed to last. Strategic investments in infrastructure, water security, mobility, climate resilience, and transparency are ensuring that today’s progress benefits generations to come. From major capital projects and resilience planning to forward-thinking investments in the Floridan Aquifer and people-first mobility solutions, we are preparing for growth while protecting quality of life.
As I shared in my address, the future of West Palm Beach is not built by any one person. It is built by all of us — together — doing our part, day in and day out.
Thank you for believing in this community.
Thank you for building this community.
And thank you for shaping a future defined by possibility, progress, and purpose.
Together, we will continue to raise the bar.
Together, we will continue building A Community of Opportunity for All.
You can watch this year’s full State of the City Address here.
Yours in service,
Keith A. James
Mayor
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