Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown Mayor Billy Phelps delievered the State of the City address during the January meeting.

As we gather for our annual State of the City address, I am filled with pride reflecting on the progress that defined Morgantown throughout 2024. Our journey this past year stands as a testament to the collective spirit and determination of our community, building on the solid foundation of growth and financial stability achieved over the past nine years. This year, we continued to strengthen our finances, even as we completed another significant year of investment in our city’s future, all while maintaining a healthy balance in our General Fund. 

2024 was a year of exciting new events that brought our community together. We proudly hosted our first annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, food, and music that showcased the rich diversity of our city. It was a great success, and we look forward to making it a lasting tradition. We also introduced the Mayor’s Monster Mash, which invited residents of all ages to enjoy free food, games, and festive Halloween fun. These new events, alongside staples like the Summer Social and the fourth annual Holiday Hoopla, continued to strengthen the connections that make Morgantown special. 

Our industrial park saw a major milestone with the addition of the Aerospace Composites facility. This new structure, prominently visible from Interstate 165, is a significant investment that will boost our local economy by creating jobs and bringing growth to the area. It is a strong symbol of Morgantown’s forward momentum and ability to attract innovative businesses to our city. Another Industry that has chosen Morgantown to be its home is Gracious Living.  Here are the economic impacts for ACS and Gracious Living over the next 10 years:  ACS is projected to create 72 new direct jobs, with the total economic output impact is estimated at $250.3 million, Additionally, the project will drive $24.7 million in household spending, with notable investments being in local and regional retail, housing, utilities, and transportation.   Gracious Living created 50 direct jobs with a total economic output of $174.6 million. Household spending is projected to reach $27.7 million, with major spending in groceries, restaurants, utilities, and housing. (this is something we should all be proud of) 

We also made notable progress on key community projects. The Farmers Market at Riverside Park is set to open later this spring.  Plans for the new fire station are advancing as we prepare to put the project out for bid. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure and creating spaces that enhance the quality of life for all residents. 

Our MOGO transportation shuttle continues to be one of the most successful services we offer. It has become such a vital part of our community that we expanded its operating hours this past year. The shuttle now runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays, what started as 3 days a week has now turned into 6, providing even greater access to reliable transportation for our residents. And now In partnership with "The Kitchen," the MOGO shuttle also plays a crucial role in delivering meals to those in need within city limits, delivering 6,230 meals this year. Additionally, the shuttle provided transportation for 15,604 riders in 2024, demonstrating its continued importance to the daily lives of so many in our community. This service reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our residents and ensuring that no one is left behind.

This year also marked the first full year of operations for Charles Black City Park, and it’s been incredible to see so many people enjoy this beautiful facility. The park has quickly become a cherished hub for recreation and community gatherings. Meanwhile, the Morgantown City Pool continued to shine as a summer favorite, hosting 10 free swim nights, 4 dive-in movies, and an impressive 76 pool parties. These activities brought joy to our families and friends and highlighted the importance of spaces that bring us together.  And I must mention that the Summer City Youth Employee Program, it was able to hire 50 + students to work in different areas of our City, such as Administration, Housing Authority, City Pool, City Maintenance, Animal Shelter and Boys and Girls club, and we are still the only City in the state providing this Youth service. 

As we reflect on the successes of 2024, let us also look ahead with optimism. In the coming year, we are excited to continue developing Riverside Park by adding a walking trail, restrooms, and other improvements through an additional grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Our lighting grant will continue to move forward, alongside additional development on the boat dock. Furthermore, we look forward to awarding more façade grants and Entrepreneur grants to local businesses and future start-up businesses, helping to revitalize their storefronts and strengthen the city’s appeal. With these initiatives, along with the fifth annual Holiday Hoopla, the continuation of all our set events, and other exciting community projects, 2025 promises to be another remarkable year for Morgantown. 

None of this would be possible without the dedication and teamwork of everyone in this room. The “we” behind these accomplishments includes the City Council, boards, staff, and every individual who contributes their time and talent to this community. On behalf of myself and the City Council, thank you for your hard work, resilience, and vision. As we move forward into 2025, let us continue working together to make Morgantown a place we’re all proud to call home.