State of the Cities Address: Area Mayors Talk About Future Goals

Community and business leaders come together for the annual State of the Cities.

The mayors of the metro share future goals and tackle their cities major issues.

More than 600 people attended the event, making it the largest State of the Cities so far.

Chamber members were able to chime in on some improvements needed in the metro.

The State of the Cities Address started with each mayor highlighting achievements made within the past year.

West Fargo switched up the game by playing a video showing their latest accomplishments.

More unorthodox behavior continued, as Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams, took the opportunity on stage to address the recent discontinued MSUM fireworks.

“If you want to be a hero, it’s about $40,000. Because I think that’s a happening thing in our community and I hope you’ll make that be something that comes true,” says Williams.

Moments later, David Berg of American Crystal Sugar, pledged $10,000 to bring back the fireworks.

This kept the energy upbeat through the address until the chamber began to open their first poll.

Audience members had a chance to interact and submit their vote on each issue.

The tone of the room got more serious as the first question was asked, “What is the biggest issue facing the metro area?”

“We know that we have over 6,500 open jobs. We don’t have the people to fill it,” says CEO of FMWF Chamber of Commerce Craig Whitney.

Hundreds weighed in on what the metro should focus on and workforce came in strong, leading in the polls.

“The poll didn’t surprise me at all, I know that we are at a state where our workforce is growing and our availability is tight,” says Chamber member Sara Johnson.

Forty percent voted that this is a much needed improvement in the community.

The metro is booming, but businesses are struggling to hire.

Companies are trying to find ways to attract more people to the area.

Johnson adds, “We’ve got great economic skills, wonderful things happening in all of our cities. Now, we need the workforce that’s ready to join.”

The workforce was also voted as the biggest concern for the metro area the previous year.

Despite the current shortage on workers, the metro mayors all agree to continue work on expanding the community.