In state of the city address, Mayor Gorton says Lexington has made progress on many fronts

Originally published by WEKU.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton delivered an upbeat State of the City address Tuesday at the Central Bank Center. She spoke of progress the state’s second largest city has made on many fronts, including the One Lexington program. She said it’s helped give young people the tools they need to work out their differences peacefully.

“In 2022, Lexington had 44 homicides compared to 24 in 2023. For the first time in five years, Lexington had fewer than 100 shootings just in 2023.”

Gorton mentioned many people – in city government and elsewhere – she said helped make 2023 a good year. She said the city set a record by spending $7.4 million to help create 234 affordable housing units.

“That includes housing for people who are extremely low income, the elderly people with severe mental illness, and for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

Gorton said the economy was booming, with nearly 3,000 more people employed than in March 2020 – the beginning of the pandemic.

** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.

Originally published by WEKU.

Republished with permission.

https://www.weku.org/lexington-richmond/2024-01-30/in-state-of-the-city-address-mayor-gorton-says-lexington-has-made-progress-on-many-fronts