Thank you, Kathy, and thank you, everyone, for that warm welcome. Welcome to the 2025 State of the City address in Cuyahoga Falls.
Now, normally, I stand up here and throw a bunch of financial numbers at you and tell you how great the city is doing. Well, I'm still going to do that.
But before I do, I want to shift gears and take a moment to share my thoughts on government at the local level during these interesting times in our country. You may have noticed that our state and federal governments are going through changes. In fact, I hear from many folks who say they are nervous not knowing what may be coming next. I want to stress the fact that your local government here in Cuyahoga Falls strives to offer you the comfort of certainty in these uncertain times.
We pride ourselves on being void of drama and politics; in fact, I defy anyone to find city council meetings that are run more professionally than ours.
Our local government is reliable, adaptable, and, most importantly, accessible. Need a pothole filled? We can often do it the same day. Need police or EMS? We average a 4-minute response time to your front door. Need me to speak at your son or daughter's Eagle Scout ceremony, or your grandparent's 100th birthday? I'll be there. In a world of chaos, I hope you find it comforting to have local government providing service with a smile. So, if by chance you happen to enjoy politics, infighting, and negative drama, I can't help you, but luckily, it's as easy as turning on your TV or logging on to social media. That’s it for my TED Talk!
Thanks again, Kathy. Thank you for that kind introduction and the ongoing support and partnership of both Western Reserve Hospital and Unity Health Network. You and your team are not only leaders in the medical field but also pillars of our community.
Your commitment to excellence and compassionate care make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents. I sincerely appreciate all you do for our City—thank you.
I also extend my gratitude to the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber Business Gateway and its partner, the Greater Akron Chamber, for hosting us today. This event is a testament to the strong business community we have here in Cuyahoga Falls. I am excited to see the continued growth and success that comes from this innovative partnership. A special thank you to the Kitchen on Front Street for providing the delicious food and, of course, to our sponsor, Western Reserve Hospital, for making today's event possible.
I am honored to welcome our school administrators and their teams here with us today.
We are fortunate to have two exceptional leaders shaping the future of education in our community: Cuyahoga Falls Superintendent Dr. Andrea Celico and Woodridge Superintendent N'ecole Ast.
If you've traveled along Portage Trail in the past year or so, you've likely seen firsthand the incredible progress being made on the new Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 campus project. I recently had the opportunity to tour the facilities, and I can tell you—it is nothing short of amazing. These state-of-the-art buildings will serve our students and community well for generations to come. The plan is for students to begin the school year this fall in their current buildings and transition to the new campus after winter break. This is an exciting time for education in Cuyahoga Falls, and I commend Andrea and her team for their dedication to this transformative project. Go Tigers!
N'ecole, in less than two years as Superintendent of Woodridge Schools, you have already made a remarkable impact. Your leadership, vision, and commitment to academic excellence are evident. Just the athletic programs alone puts Woodridge in elite status. I look forward to seeing all that you and your team continue to accomplish for the students and families of Woodridge. Great job! And go Bulldogs!
I want to recognize the City Council members with us today. Your commitment to public service and dedication to Cuyahoga Falls residents do not go unnoticed. Thank you for your collaboration, your leadership, and your unwavering efforts to move our city forward. This is a truly amazing city council!
Thank you to my dedicated staff and the more than 400 City employees who work tirelessly each day to make Cuyahoga Falls the best place to live, work, and play. Your hard work and dedication are the backbone of our City, and I am grateful for all that you do.
Finally, I want to take a moment to thank the most important person in my life—my wife, Stephanie. None of this would be possible without your love, encouragement, and support.
Your unwavering belief in me and in our shared journey gives me the strength to do what I do every day. Thank you for always being by my side. And always wondering what my crazy schedule will be like each week.
With that, let's begin.
The well-being of a city can be measured in many ways, but one of the most critical indicators is revenue. Just as a household relies on income to maintain a good quality of life, a city depends on substantial financial resources to fund essential services, infrastructure, and community programs that enhance residents' daily lives.
Thanks to our city's continuous business growth and the dedication of our Finance team, we closed out 2024 in a very strong financial position—while achieving our highest-ever investment in critical infrastructure.
From roads to water and sewer lines, we made record-breaking improvements that directly benefit our community.
At the same time, we remained fiscally responsible and strategic in our spending. Through careful financial planning and a commitment to efficiency, we ended the year with more than $25 million in carryover funds. This surplus allows us to have the largest rainy-day fund in our city's history, ensuring we are well-prepared for future economic challenges while continuing to invest in long-term prosperity.
As everyone in this room knows, real progress requires careful planning. Large-scale projects don't happen overnight; they take years of vision, strategy, and collaboration before reaching the construction phase. And while I admit I sometimes wish we could speed things up, I'm incredibly proud of the thoughtfulness and engagement that go into every decision before we even break ground.
In 2024, we celebrated the completion of several long-anticipated projects, including improvements to West Portage Trail, upgrades at the Natatorium and Fire Station 1, and extensive planning and engineering work for transformative projects in 2025 and beyond—such as the RiverLoop, South Front Street, The Triangle Road Project, and more.
With City Council's unanimous approval of the 2025 budget—our most comprehensive ever at $268 million you will see even more public investment shaping our community. The future is bright, and I look forward to what we will continue to accomplish together. A city that is stagnant is a city falling behind.
Earlier this month, Finance Director Bryan Hoffman accepted the Auditor of State Award with Distinction for a clean audit report. Congratulations to Bryan and his team. The award is only given to around 3% of cities in all of Ohio, and this is the second year in a row we have received this impressive designation.
Beyond financial stewardship, our dedication to environmental leadership remains strong. The Cuyahoga River is not just our namesake—it's the lifeblood of our community. I am incredibly proud that Cuyahoga Falls has been recognized as a Champion of the River by the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern (AOC). This is a significant honor, especially as we reflect on the river's transformation in the 55 years since the infamous fire that helped spark the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which, unfortunately, is currently being diminished in scope.
We proudly welcome paddlers of all levels, from kayakers and tubers enjoying the calmer waters north of downtown to expert whitewater paddlers tackling the Class V rapids—which is for the ultra-professional—right in the heart of our city. Thanks to Cuyahoga Falls native Don Howdyshell, our community has earned national recognition in the paddling world through the annual Cuyahoga Falls Fest, which brings together river enthusiasts each spring from many states.
The Gorge Dam removal project is the final step to river health. The Dam removal is vital to our city and our region. It will not only improve wildlife habitats and address sediment contamination, but also bring an economic boost through increased recreational tourism.
Cuyahoga Falls is all in for the Cuyahoga River, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to restore, protect, and celebrate this invaluable natural resource.
Speaking of the Cuyahoga River, I am going to switch gears for just a minute to talk about one of the newest ventures in the city – The Cuyahoga Falls Rapids! The Rapids will be part of the Premier Amateur Football League, which will be playing teams throughout the region.
The team is the brainchild of Cuyahoga Falls High School grad and football star – Daniel Demand.
Follow the Rapids on social media for information about games and how to support the team. I hope to see you at a game this spring.
Ongoing investment in our city, whether it is a new amateur sports team or a brick-and-mortar business, is essential to attracting businesses, creating jobs, and ensuring that Cuyahoga Falls remains a thriving place to live and work. In 2024 alone, we saw $72.5 million in private investment, the opening of 17 new businesses, and the creation of 264 new jobs—120 more than the previous year.
One of the most exciting additions to our community was the Summit County Humane Society, which opened a state-of-the-art, $12 million dollar facility designed to care for our most vulnerable furry friends. This investment also brought 55 new jobs to our city. If you haven't had a chance to visit the new facility on West Portage Trail, I encourage you to do so. Who knows, you may even come home with a new family member (with four legs).
Investment in infrastructure and innovation, both on the private and public side, is a hallmark of a successful and forward-thinking community.
Last year, Kyocera SGS Precision Tools expanded its innovation by installing more than 600 solar panels at its Marc Drive location. With savings estimated at $50,000 dollars per year and a 30-year life span of the solar panels, the new system will pay dividends for years to come. The Kyocera solar project was featured on WKYC's Mission Possible earlier this year. This project is the city's first industrial solar installation, and we look forward to it being a launching pad for others in the future.
Another company, Akron Polymer Systems (APS), relocated to Falls Commerce Parkway, adding 14 new jobs and further strengthening our local economy.
Founded in 2002, APS is a leader in the research and development of high-performance polymers used in LCD screens, composites, and custom-designed materials. In fact, you all probably have an APS component with you today. Thank you for choosing Cuyahoga Falls. And now, here a few words from Akron Polymer Systems COO Matt Graham.
Thank you to all of our businesses for choosing Cuyahoga Falls. We know that private funds alone are not enough. Public investment is also vital to move our city forward. As I mentioned earlier, we completed $9 million of upgrades to the building we are sitting in right now. The Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium is a community anchor, not only for our residents and businesses but also for the surrounding area.
Our commitment to enhancing public spaces extends beyond the Natatorium. Parks and Recreation also completed major renovations at the Brookledge Club House and Quirk Cultural Center. Additionally, with the support of Community Development Block Grant funding, we leveraged additional city resources to improve multiple park facilities, ensuring accessibility for all.
Investing in infrastructure is just as crucial to our city’s progress. The West Portage Trail project completed last year and the Triangle Road project at State, Seasons and Wyoga Lake that is just getting underway will greatly improve traffic congestion in both major corridors of the city.
As the weather breaks, we will see dirt moving on the South Front Streetscape project, which will upgrade this vital stretch of Front Street. I can't wait to welcome the new residents of the high-end townhomes that will anchor the southern end of this project. The RiverLoop project will also get underway in the spring. This exciting project will finally connect the beautiful Cuyahoga River to Front Street and our vibrant downtown.
In other areas of the city, we will begin the reconstruction of Cochran Road, increasing our available industrial space to support future business growth and relocations. In fact, we recently welcomed two new businesses to Cochran Road, adding 10 new jobs and a significant private investment. The Cuyahoga Falls Electric Department also moved into a state-of-the-art, 53,000-square-foot facility featuring 41,000 square feet of warehouse space and an 83-kilowatt solar array that can power half of the building on a sunny day. Imagine that our own electric company is making electricity!
With the guidance of OHM Advisors, we continue to engage with residents, business owners, and stakeholders on the future of the South State Road and Bailey Road/Northmoreland corridors.
Last month, OHM Advisors presented their findings from an extensive public engagement process. Our next step is to conduct traffic studies to help shape the future of these key commercial areas.
While we would not be a city without businesses and infrastructure, the heart of our community is our homes and neighborhoods. Our housing market remained strong in 2024, with just 12 days as the average before a property went pending. Our utility rates remain the lowest in the region; we have wonderful school options and a wide range of housing options to meet everyone's needs. If you aren't lucky enough to live in Cuyahoga Falls, we probably have a few REALTORS in the room that can find you the perfect home!
We can all agree that public art enhances our community by helping create a sense of place and belonging. Since its formation in 2020, the Cuyahoga Falls Public Art Board has approved eight art installations on both public and private property.
In 2024, with the help of our partners in the local arts community, we welcomed several projects into our city, and one of our parking decks even got a facelift with the Green Deck Mural Project.
With the unanimous support of City Council, two of our most visible departments will see new faces this year. The 2025 budget includes the largest staffing increase in uniformed safety forces in decades. The Cuyahoga Falls Police Department will expand its ranks with four new uniformed officers and one additional sergeant, while the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department recently welcomed six additional firefighters.
At a time when many communities face cuts to public safety, I want to recognize City Council and our finance department for their strong fiscal management over the past decade—efforts that have made these hires possible.
Cuyahoga Falls has a long tradition of supporting our safety forces, and for good reason—we have some of the best officers serving and protecting our community. In 2024, two of our officers received county-wide recognition for their outstanding service and commitment.
Officer Karla Garinger was honored as the 2024 Summit County Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year. Officer Garinger has been instrumental in shaping the department's approach to mental health crises since joining CFPD in 2009.
She has played a key role in training officers on crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques through the ADM Board's program, which partners with Summit County agencies to improve first responders' interactions with individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
Additionally, Officer Jarett Heatwall was named Patrol Officer of the Year by the Summit County Prosecutor's Office. His professionalism and dedication to the community were highlighted during an award presentation. Officer Heatwall began his career with CFPD in 2018 as a part-time Community Service Officer before becoming a full-time officer in 2020 and now Officer of the Year!
Congratulations to Officers Garinger and Heatwall, and thank you for your unwavering service to our community.
Recently, Money Inc. Magazine did their research and rated CF as one of the 30 safest suburbs in Ohio. Being in the top 30 safest out of 926 cities and villages is quite impressive.
As mentioned earlier, the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department recently added six new firefighters to enhance our ability to serve residents. This increase brings the total number of firefighters to 80.
Beyond daily emergency response, our firefighters continue to make us proud through their service at the local, state, and national levels.
Firefighter Zach Johnson, who also serves as a Captain in the Ohio Army National Guard, was deployed to North Carolina last fall to assist with Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
As a pilot of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Captain Johnson has also flown combat missions in Iraq and Syria, demonstrating exceptional bravery and commitment to both our city and our nation.
Additionally, a team from the Summit County Special Operations Response Team's Water Rescue Branch also traveled to North Carolina to assist with Tropical Storm Debby's recovery efforts. The 14-member team was led by Cuyahoga Falls Battalion Chief Luke Rychlik, including Cuyahoga Falls Firefighters Addison Marable, Christian Avalos, and Ben Humphrey.
Their dedication in times of crisis exemplifies the strength and compassion of our safety forces.
We will continue investing in public safety to ensure our first responders have the resources to protect and serve Cuyahoga Falls. To all our officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel—thank you for your unwavering dedication and service. Our city is stronger and safer because of you.
Thank you to Police Chief Chris Norfolk and Fire Chief Chris Martin for your leadership.
Speaking of mutual aid, I would be remiss if I did not highlight four of our Cuyahoga Falls Electric System Linemen who joined other American Municipal Power partners to Light Up Navajo. It is hard for us to imagine, but there are thousands of homes in the Navajo Nation – spanning three states and 27,000 square miles – that have never had electricity.
Last summer, we had the opportunity to provide mutual aid through Light Up Navajo, and our linemen spent a week out west connecting 10 families to power for the very first time. Our crews are hoping to participate again this year.
Efforts like these exemplify the spirit of service and collaboration that define Cuyahoga Falls. Whether it's through service beyond our city limits or the daily efforts that strengthen our own community, our progress is driven by the people who call this place home.
My sincerest thank you to all who have played a part in the continued success of Cuyahoga Falls. I could not be prouder of all that we accomplished together in 2024 and all that we have planned for 2025. The state of our city is not only strong—it is stronger than ever. Our progress is undeniable, our momentum is unstoppable, and our future is brighter than ever before. And as I've said many times before, I won't rest until there are only two groups of people—those who live in Cuyahoga Falls and those who wish they did.
Thank you all for coming, it is an honor of a lifetime to serve you!