Flint mayor delivers his 5th State of the City address

FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) – Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley delivered his State of the City address on Wednesday night, Nov. 13.

The theme was "Health and housing: From crisis to recovery."

Neeley gave his fifth State of the City address Wednesday night at the FIM Capitol Theatre, touching on the ways the city has navigated through challenges, but also highlighting the investments made into the community, including more than $200 million from the state delegation, stabilizing the city's budget.

"The work that they have done to build every neighborhood, every community inside the city of Flint. This is not by accident. This was intentional, deliberate planning to get us to where we are now," he said.

Investments like those made to improve the quality of water provided to residents.

"We are the most tested, the most monitored water system in America. The standards for our EGLE, which is out state monitoring system, and EPA, which is the federal system, the standard is anything less than 15 parts per billion is acceptable. But we all know that no amount of lead in our water systems are safe. But the city of Flint has got it down to one part per billion," he said.

Neeley also highlighted the success of the Clio Road Service Center, the Rx Kids Program, the distribution of new garbage and recycling bins, and a push to increase the home property tax exemption program for seniors and those living on a fixed income.

"When they're on a fixed income, it becomes a challenge as their property value goes up. We don't want to tax them out of their homes. And so now I'm so pleased to announce in 2025, Jan. 1, we have increased our HOPE program benefits to 200%," Neeley said.

The mayor also addressed economic development, citing a $60 million federal grant to NanoGraf, which will build a battery plant in the Buick City corridor.

"This is a game changer for our city. This project is expected to create hundreds of well-paying jobs...construction, engineering, manufacturing. This project is a powerful symbol of Flint's recovery," he said.

He ended his address by shining a light on one of Flint's success stories by showing the trailer to the big screen movie of Clarissa Shields' life, "The Fire Inside," which will be in theaters on Christmas Day.