City Manager Eric Hanson delivered a data-packed and upbeat State of the City address Monday, telling the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s 47th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon that the city has attracted nearly $262 million in private investment and created more than 550 new jobs over the past two years.
Hanson pointed to Western Smokehouse Partners’ $100+ million expansion, a manufacturing comeback, a thriving downtown, and more than $40 million in active state and federal grants as evidence Galesburg is “building on momentum.”
Key highlights from the address:
- $262 million in private investment and 550+ new jobs over the past two years
- Western Smokehouse now employs over 400 and continues major expansion
- Pegasus named 2025 SBA Manufacturer of the Year
- Innovative Productions at capacity and planning another expansion
- Downtown’s Orpheum Theatre attendance up 35%
- Judy’s Pancake Place owner reaching 106 million people in 90 days on Instagram — Hanson declared Galesburg the “pancake capital of the world,” told the story of a Minnesota nurse planning a trip just for Judy’s pancakes, noted Judy’s “really good noodles” and new slogan “Come for breakfast, stay for dinner,” and pledged, “I’ll ride that pancake all the way to the diner.”
- Nearly $5 million invested in local coffee shops in just two years — responding to critics, Hanson said, “We want to encourage people to invest in our economy, whether they’re serving coffee or not.”
- $40 million in active state/federal grants for roads, water quality, housing, parks, and the airport
- “Project 350” tree-planting initiative has planted 710 trees — new goal is 1,000 by 2026
Hanson acknowledged challenges remain in housing, workforce development, and infrastructure maintenance, but stressed the city’s focus on “keeping the momentum rolling.”
During the same luncheon, the Chamber presented the Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award to Mark Thomas. Full story on that honor here.
