GREENWOOD, Ind. – Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers on Thursday delivered his 13th State of the City address to more than 300 business leaders, community members, and residents. The annual event was hosted by Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance at the Greenwood Fieldhouse.
“My family has lived in Greenwood for generations. I was born here in 1962 and lived most of my life here. I love our traditions. One of Greenwood’s most cherished traditions is its focus on progress,” said Myers. “Progress should not be feared. Growth is inevitable in thriving communities. People are attracted to places with nice parks, good schools, and strong infrastructure.”
As a former Greenwood police officer, firefighter, and first responder, public safety has been Myers’ top priority since he took oath in 2012. He announced big changes for the Greenwood public safety departments this year.
Mayor Myers has worked to increase the city’s public safety budget to equip the police and fire departments with quality training and equipment to best serve the community. “In 2012 we had 30 full-time firefighters budgeted, today we have 72. In 2012, we had 60 police officers budgeted, and in 2024, we have 80,” Myers said. “Despite the economic challenges the city faced in 2023, we found a way to give all of our employees, including our firefighters and our policemen, a 5% raise in 2024.”
He also highlighted the growth of the city’s economy. There has been over $250 million invested in new residential and business projects in the past year, encouraging families to move to the area and young adults to return home after college. Greenwood’s population is now nearly 70,000 people.
In addition to the accomplishments made last year, Mayor Myers revealed various developments and advancements expected in 2024. Developments include the Greenwood Sports Park, the Freedom Park Pickleball Complex, and a new fire station.
In 2024, Myers said the City of Greenwood will continue to prioritize safety, ensure law enforcement is supported, and pursue various infrastructure developments. Residents can look forward to new parks, trails, recreation facilities, and family events, all while the city keeps tax rates low and budgets balanced. The Mayor concluded his address by saying, “It’s year 13. Let’s get back to work.”
