"With the dawn of 251, it's time to redouble our focus on the future," said Gorton. "We know the future really is now and we know that progress doesn't just happen, so we continuously lay the groundwork for it."
The mayor reviewed foundations set in 2025, highlighting record employment numbers. Fayette County saw its highest-ever employment at 171,656 people, while per capita income and median household income continued to climb. The city's investment in AgTech development generated an 8:1 return, with $925,000 in grants leveraging over $7 million in additional funding.
On public safety, Lexington marked its fourth consecutive year of declining gun violence. Incidents of violent crime dropped nearly 11% between 2024 and 2025, including a 13% drop in homicides, a 23% drop in assault with firearms, and a 26% drop in robberies.
One notable development involves the fire department's partnership with the Kentucky Blood Center, which launched last June. Lexington firefighters can now perform blood transfusions at emergency scenes using whole blood, improving patient survival rates.
"This blood transfusion program sets our firefighters apart," said Gorton, a registered nurse.
The city's detention center has also established a behavioral health unit focused on rehabilitation. Every corrections recruit now completes crisis intervention training before graduation. Since the unit opened last March, negative behavioral incidents have declined by 75%.
The city saw 231 affordable housing units go under construction in 2025. This brings the city to over 3,800 units either preserved or constructed since the affordable housing program started in 2014. The city also invested over $29 million in parks projects in 2025, including the opening of Cardinal Run North - the first large regional park opened in 25 years - and Kelly's Landing, providing Lexington's first and only public access to the Kentucky River.
Looking ahead to 2026, Gorton outlined plans to complete the Legacy Business Park later this year. Construction is underway on the 200-acre development on Georgetown Road, representing a $22.6 million investment by the city. The infrastructure improvements will make the park "shovel ready for businesses," said Gorton. The park will include 19 lots totaling 147 acres and is expected to create nearly 1,700 jobs with an annual payroll of $100 million.
"As I start my eighth year as mayor, it continues to be something I work on every single day to secure a bright future for our children and their children," said Gorton.
The mayor also pointed to ongoing site planning for Central Kentucky's first public regional business park in Berea, a partnership with Madison and Scott Counties. Additionally, the city is exploring solar energy through the possible installation of a solar farm on the Haley Pike landfill, with negotiations continuing with a local solar company.
Gorton said she hopes to top 4,000 affordable housing units by the end of this year. Her newly formed task force on homelessness is examining best practices from other cities to identify new approaches.
The mayor closed her address by reflecting on community contributions, including November's food drive for God's Pantry Food Bank that collected over 105,000 pounds of food in one month.
"It is such an honor to be the mayor of a city with such a big heart," said Gorton. "For 250 years, Lexington's people have been her secret strength. Through our shared vision and productive partnerships, this community works together to ensure Lexington's future is bright."