promises kept
It has been a busy four years weathering the unexpected storm of COVID and planning and executing transformational projects in Holland. I need your support to continue the significant advances we are making toward meeting our challenges, taking advantage of our opportunities and living up to our highest aspirations so every person in Holland can exclaim, “And We Get To Live Here!”
We are working for a bright future - Together.
our greatest challenge: housing
Your city council has been providing incentives to builders to build the homes Holland wants and needs at all price points.
Since I was elected Mayor, we have approved more than 1000 new housing units and have hundreds completed and currently under construction. To ensure a strong, vibrant economy we must continue to connect our essential workers and young professionals to the community they want to call home, building strong, welcoming neighborhoods for the success of Holland.
As Holland grows this challenge will continue. As your Mayor, I am dedicated to using all of the tools available to create attractive, affordable housing for all Holland residents.
OUR BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY: WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
Developers have put forth a proposal to connect the community to our waterfront for the review and approval by City Council. In May of this year, 62.5% of City of Holland voters approved a ballot proposal to allow City Council to take the next step to negotiate the sale of the property and work through the details of the proposed development.
Your City Council will assure that any proposed development aligns with the results of our five-year community outreach process and the Vision for the Waterfront. Full details of that process and updated information can be found at WaterfrontHolland.org
OUR HIGHEST ASPIRATION: CELEBRATE THE VALUE OF EVERYONE WHO CALLS HOLLAND HOME
Holland is a rich tapestry of people and cultures. During my first year as Mayor your City Council enacted a comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinance protecting everyone in Holland from discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, and public accommodations.
Holland’s future success relies on our continued commitment to welcome and value our increasingly diverse population. As Holland’s Mayor, that commitment will always start with me.
OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT.
I need your support to continue leading to a bright future as Holland’s Mayor. I want to continue to serve this wonderful community as we honor the best of our history and prepare for the future. Together, we will continue to do the hard work necessary to make our plans and dreams a reality.
ENCOURAGE SMART INVESTMENT
Last year Holland saw over $2.7 billion dollars of new commercial investment and the creation of hundreds of new jobs. New businesses, large and small are opening and expanding. Our community is thriving.
I want to continue to support local businesses and promote investment, attracting and retaining a resilient workforce, strengthening our economic future.
CONNECT EVERY RESIDENT TO THE FUTURE
Last year the people of Holland worked together to approve the expansion of our high-speed, low-cost fiber internet to every home in Holland. Our top-rated, local Board of Public Works will begin construction later this year and plans to have the project completed over then next 2-3 years. Reliable, low cost broadband will support our workers and students. It will attract the best businesses, employees, and entrepreneurs to keep our future bright.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
Holland’s Community Energy Plan helped make us the “Greenest City in the State of Michigan” As Mayor, I appointed a dynamic team of community leaders to update the plan and provide meaningful, measurable, achievable, and affordable recommendations for the future.
Your City Council unanimously approved the recommended updates to the plan. We are now working alongside residents, businesses and industry to implement the new plan that will allow us to achieve our goals 10 years sooner than before!
LEADING TO BRIGHTER DAYS
Together we weathered an unexpected storm and emerged closer and better than before. Even during the pandemic, our local stores and restaurants had some of their best years ever. The people of Holland came together and found ways to to support each other in times of trouble. Even during a pandemic, we moved Holland toward a better future.
