The City of Galesburg’s 2024 Annual Report, released this week, showcases a year of economic development, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement, driven by a new strategic plan.
Highlighting “progress, purpose, and partnership,” the report details over 326 new jobs created through $113 million in private investment, facilitated by development agreements and incentives like Tax Increment Financing and Enterprise Zone programs.
Mayor Peter Schwartzman praised the report as “the best in a long time” for its transparency and readability.
Schwartzman tells WGIL, “It is very user friendly to those that are accessing it electronically. It provides substantive information in a very broad array of areas. I particularly like how readable the copy is as well; the many images and charts provided also add greatly to the report.”
Schwartzman noted that residents unable to access the report digitally can obtain a printed copy at City Hall.
-
Letters from leadership: Messages from the mayor and city manager, providing insights into the year’s achievements and vision.
-
Governance structure: Details on the city’s organizational structure, elected officials, and staff leadership.
-
Financial overview: Highlights of the city’s 2024 financial performance, including budgets and tax distributions.
-
Departmental achievements: Accomplishments across city departments, such as Administration, Community Development, Finance, Public Safety, and Parks & Recreation.
-
Visual summary: Photo highlights showcasing key events and projects.
-
Future plans: Strategic priorities and goals for 2025 and beyond, focusing on areas like housing and economic development.
-
Contact Information: Resources for residents to engage with city services.
In his letter, Schwartzman wrote that the city put “squabbles of 2023 behind us and found common ground and crafted a shared vision.”
City Manager Eric Hanson, hired in December 2023, said the year’s achievements result from “planning our work and working our plan.”
Schwartzman emphasized the report’s role, saying, “It is imperative that the city provide its residents a comprehensive report each year that documents all key investments and summarizes key services offered. The city is fully accountable to its residents.”
The report outlines 2025 priorities, including housing, job growth, and Sandburg Mall redevelopment.
“Clearly, we recognize that the availability and affordability of good housing stock is a must,” Schwartzman said. “We also must continue to foster job growth and retention through additional investment, training, mentoring, and recruitment.
“We made great strides in 2024, likely the most successful year on many fronts in decades, but we must keep this momentum and challenge ourselves to reach even higher, for the benefit of all that live in our great city.”