Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell gave the State of the City address last week, highlighting the city鈥檚 accomplishments for 2024.
Community members gathered at the Capitol Theatre Feb. 20 for the Q&A style address, a departure from typical 鈥淪tate of The鈥 speeches. Ella Castronuovo, Regional Growth Reporter for the Nashville Business Journal, asked Mayor Bell questions on the city鈥檚 growth and economic status.
鈥淎s mayor, looking back on 2024, I鈥檓 excited about the work we have done to keep our sales tax base strong, drive our economic vitality, strategize growth and invest in our community,鈥 Mayor Bell said. 鈥淲hile not increasing property taxes.鈥
Growth was a particular topic, as a second Walmart, a Sam鈥檚 Club and the recently announced Target, will bring jobs and further economic growth to the city, according to Bell.
鈥淲hat do you think Lebanon is missing?鈥 Castronuovo asked.
鈥淲e鈥檝e become the distribution center capital of the state. I鈥檓 not too happy about that,鈥 Bell replied. 鈥淲e need jobs in research and development. We need manufacturing jobs. We need corporate headquarters here.鈥
The growth Lebanon is experiencing has mixed responses by residents. Some welcome the economic and employment opportunities while some wish the city would remain the smaller, more rural town they remember.
鈥淧eople say 鈥榳e鈥檙e tired of growth.鈥 That鈥檚 not realistic,鈥 Bell said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e not growing, you鈥檙e falling behind. With growth comes opportunity.鈥
A slideshow projected onto a screen behind Mayor Bell and Castronuovo highlighted some of the City Council activities for 2024, including:
鈥 More than 30 regulations placed on developers for town homes and apartments.
鈥 Barton鈥檚 Creek Interceptor Sewer Project.
鈥 Study on Hartmann Drive extension.
鈥 New traffic signals at busy intersections.
鈥 Rededication of the 9/11 Memorial Monument and Castle Heights War Memorial.
The Sports Complex progress was also brought up by Mayor Bell. According to him, the project is not over budget.
Recently, the developer, Relyant Global, was notified by the city of an intention to declare default on the contract due to what the city believes is lack of progress on the complex.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to go to court,鈥 Bell said. 鈥淲e want to get kids out there playing.鈥
In recent City Council meetings, a new beautification project proposed by Bell was approved, with the first stage budgets currently being studied.
A brief audience Q&A happened after the conclusion of the address; however, it was cut short due to time constraints. Mayor Bell said submitted questions will be answered in statements over time.
Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto will be holding a State of the County address next month on March 26.
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