Richmond Mayor Ron Oler used his March 14 State of the City address to share what his administration accomplished during 2024, his first year in office, and what’s underway and planned for 2025. The 35-minute speech was attended by about 60 people in the council chambers of the Richmond Municipal Building.
“Our remarkable history, recent accomplishments and ambitious future plans paint a promising and exciting picture for the years ahead,” Oler said. “By embracing opportunities with optimism, determination and unity, together we can create a brighter, stronger Richmond for everyone.”
Larry Parker, president of Richmond Common Council, said the mayor presented what Richmond’s citizens need to know and hear about.
“I was glad to hear what he had to say, and I agree with everything he said, and I thought he did a very good job in presenting the accomplishments of the last year of the city of Richmond,” Parker said.
Ken Paust said he often hears residents complain that nothing is happening in Richmond. That ‘obviously’ is not true, Paust said, with a lot of change occurring throughout the city.
“We are in a real renaissance right now. Richmond is ready to really make some major steps going forward, and he put all that together in his presentation today,” Paust said. “I wish every person in Richmond could see that presentation.”
Whitewater Community Television recorded the mayor’s speech, and it’s available for viewing on WCTV’s YouTube channel.
“It’s just so exciting to see all the projects that are underway, and when you look at the big picture, you can see how Richmond is moving forward, but most people don’t look at the big picture,” Paust said. “They have no idea what’s going on. The mayor did an excellent job of putting it all together today.”
Oler highlighted significant corporate investments by Blue Buffalo, Anchor Ingredients, Liberation Labs and Richmond Beverage Solutions that total about $400 million and are expected to create 160 new full-time jobs. He noted that in 10 years, the median income for Richmond households has increased from $30,000 to $46,000.
“This is a sign that all of these new high-paying jobs are, in fact, paying off,” Oler said. “To be sure, there are many other exciting developments on the horizon, positioning Richmond for continued growth and revitalization.”
Among those is the city’s first Chick-fil-A, which drew applause when Oler mentioned it. He said the city just three days earlier issued a demolition permit for the building on Chick-fil-A’s National Road East property.
Oler also highlighted the Smith Hill Subdivision and 6Main Apartment projects that will create additional city housing, and the $25 million Revitalize Richmond grant awarded through Earlham College to impact the city’s downtown, an area Oler said is poised for a renaissance.
“Revitalize Richmond will transform downtown into a destination where people want to feel inspired to live, learn and enjoy life,” Oler said. “A place that unites people eager to celebrate and renew our shared history of community pride and growth.”
Two projects — the U.S. 27 bridge and the Loop Phase II — will provide connections within the city. Oler said a block party and dedication ceremony will celebrate the two-year bridge construction in the Depot District. The Loop multimodal pathway enhances the connection between downtown and the Depot District.
“This project seeks to create a more connected and accessible central corridor by providing safe routes for people not in cars,” Oler said. “The completion of the second phase will transform the Loop into a destination, not just a thoroughfare.”
Plans include extending the Loop to Earlham, providing a safe connection for students to reach downtown and the Depot District. Oler said Richmond does not feel like a college town, despite five colleges in the city.
“The Whitewater Gorge Activation plan is a transformative initiative designed to enhance one of Richmond’s most treasured areas, the 3.5-mile-long stretch of the Whitewater River that courses through the heart of our city,” Oler said. The project will provide canoeing, kayaking, bouldering and zip lines to attract residents and visitors.
He highlighted work done by the street department and Richmond Sanitary District that provide and maintain necessary infrastructure for city development. The self-sustaining Richmond Municipal Airport continues planning for a new terminal.
Richmond Police Department and Richmond Fire Department initiated changes the past year and continue working to increase public safety. The city worked to find better housing solutions for unhoused individuals and continue enforcing code violations and eliminating blight.
“These programs are not about just removing what’s broken,” Oler said. “They’re about transforming Richmond, creating a city where businesses thrive, where residents take pride in their neighborhoods and future generations may enjoy a vibrant, safe and welcoming community. By continuing these efforts, Richmond is making real, measurable progress toward a brighter future.”
The city also is embarking on a branding project and will update the 5-year-old comprehensive plan. Oler said the branding will “create a distinct identity that reflects our values and aspirations,” while the comprehensive update will assess progress since 2019 and identify key areas that need updates. Those efforts will require public input, and Oler said all progress is a testament to collaboration.
“Let’s leverage our collective expertise, our resources, our passion to tackle challenges and do the hard things and embrace new opportunities,” Oler said. “Together, we can foster economic growth, enhance public services and build a city that thrives for generations to come. Make no mistake, Richmond is at the threshold of a new era, one defined by innovation, revitalization and a commitment to progress.”
Watch the full address, recorded and broadcast by Whitewater Community Television:
A version of this article appeared in the March 19 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
