Mayor Reed says 'Montgomery momentum' centers on safety, affordability and opportunity

Mayor Steven L. Reed delivered Montgomery’s 2026 State of the City address, telling a downtown audience the city’s focus is on “whether what we're doing is responsible, reasonable, and delivering results that people can count on to make their life more affordable, safer, and full of opportunity.”

Reed framed his remarks under the slogan “Montgomery momentum,” pointing to a historic budget and an AA bond rating that, he said, enabled major capital work. “The $50,000,000 Montgomery Forward initiative revitalized parks, fire stations, and community centers,” he said, and listed infrastructure accomplishments including miles of roadway paved, thousands of potholes filled and sidewalks repaired.

The mayor emphasized three priorities — safety, affordability and opportunity — and tied them to multiple programs: a $1,000,000 opioid response initiative, direct financial-relief actions totaling roughly $3,270,000, and investments to help Jackson Hospital’s stability. He said the city has helped attract more than 4,700 jobs and about $3,600,000,000 in investment through partnerships with local economic-development actors.

On schools and workforce development, Reed highlighted YouthBuild Montgomery and Seed Academy, saying those programs have produced industry-recognized credentials and career connections for students. He recognized one participant by name, Jamichael Patterson, for completing training and entering a community-health worker pathway.

Reed closed by urging continued collaboration among city government, businesses, faith and nonprofit partners, saying the progress “belongs to the people of Montgomery” and asking residents to engage with upcoming zoning updates and other public-input opportunities.

The address concluded with a call to continue the city’s work into 2026 and a reminder to attendees of the program’s end.