Mayor gives Lexington state of the city address

Sharing achievements, like include law enforcement successes, economic growth, and upcoming developments

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Mayor Linda Gorton delivered the annual State of the City address, reflecting on the city’s growth in 2024 and looking ahead to future goals.

The City Bank Center was full of government leaders, local organizations, and others celebrating Lexington’s 250th anniversary. The celebration was the backdrop for Mayor Linda Gorton’s State of the City address.

“Lexington has seen enormous change since its founding,” Gorton said. “It’s surprising how many things today remind us that we have not forgotten where we came from.”

The mayor praised the Lexington Police Department for its accomplishments over the past year, including returning 27 missing people to their families, recovering $4.5 million in stolen cars, and removing 113 firearms from the streets. She credited advancements in technology with helping improve law enforcement.

“Last year brought additional use of Flock license plate readers and more staffing to our two-year-old Real-Time Intelligence Center,” Gorton stated.

On the economic front, Lexington achieved a record-high employment rate, with 174,328 people working across Fayette County in 2024.

“Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Fayette County has seen the highest rate of growth, 5.5%, of any metro area in the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank district,” Gorton noted.

The mayor also shared updates on two major business parks coming to the area, with both projects expected to generate new jobs and tax revenue.

Gorton emphasized ongoing efforts in affordable housing and public works, with significant developments planned for 2025.