Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese delivered his final State of the City address on Tuesday, March 19. The theme was “Celebrating Our History, Innovating Our Future: Making Motion, Moving People.”

Below is the introduction to the address, as delivered by Mayor Neese:

It was just over three years ago that I stood in this building and was sworn in as the thirty-seventh Mayor of the City of Elkhart. As I raised my right hand and took the oath of office, I embarked on a journey I could have never predicted.

In preparation for tonight’s speech, I have reflected on both the triumphs and challenges our community has faced during this time. There have been good days and there have been difficult days, but it remains one of the great honors of my life to be able to lead Elkhart through these transformational times.

Until becoming Mayor, I did not fully grasp the important role our great City plays in the state’s overall economy. Our business climate matters not only to you and me, but to our neighbors, Hoosiers, and consumers nationwide. In fact, Elkhart’s business community contributes one out of every 45 jobs in the State of Indiana.

In continuing to be a strong participant in our state’s economy, it is critical that we plan for a more vibrant future where we will attract additional people who want to live here. With this, we must embrace the new principles required for economic progress – including industrial growth, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship and innovation, place making – including parks, arts, and culture – talent attraction, and public safety.

To accomplish this requires unprecedented collaboration between Elkhart’s civic and business leaders. Together over the past year, we have embarked on a 2040 Vision: Making Motion | Moving People.

Tonight, I will outline proactive steps my administration has already taken to facilitate the growth of our community through motion making and place making, as well as work still to be done.