Jackson Mayor John Horhn spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson outlining his plans to improve Jackson.
Horhn likened his decades in the state Senate to a "full body contact sport" but said the Senate was a walk in the park compared to the difficulty of being mayor of Jackson.
He praised the many Jacksonians who support Jackson and exhorted them to get involved in the effort to improve the city.
Horhn said he has identified $150 million to improve roads through various funding sources.
Below is an outline of his speech edited by ChatGPT AI.
Good afternoon, and thank you all for the opportunity to speak today.
We’ve been working across multiple areas in Jackson—everything from public safety and infrastructure to housing, culture, and economic development. Our goal has been to identify the key challenges facing our city and begin addressing them in a meaningful way.
Planning and Vision for Jackson
We recently completed Phase One of a planning effort. This includes a 150-page report, along with a summary designed to give residents a clear and accessible starting point. While this is not yet a full comprehensive plan, it serves as a strong foundation.
In the coming weeks, we will begin work on a more complete, long-term plan. This next phase will build on what we’ve started and provide a more detailed roadmap for Jackson’s future.
Even at this early stage, we’ve already launched initiatives focused on:
- Public safety
- Housing
- Economic development
- Beautification efforts
Beautification and Community Engagement
We’ve worked to improve the city’s appearance through efforts like Jackson Gateway Beautification Days. Many of you may have noticed that the city is cleaner than it has been in recent years.
These improvements are the result of both city efforts and community participation. We’ve also engaged faith leaders—bringing together over 100 ministers and hundreds of residents—to help strengthen community unity.
I believe strongly that faith and community involvement will play a major role in Jackson’s recovery and growth.
Fixing the Basics
When we took office, we found a lot of dysfunction—basic systems that simply weren’t working.
So we started with the fundamentals:
- Cutting grass
- Trimming trees
- Filling potholes
- Restoring basic city services
These may seem like small things, but they are essential to rebuilding trust and improving quality of life.
Infrastructure and Streets
One of our top priorities has been street repair and infrastructure.
We’ve identified approximately $150 million in funding, coming from:
- A one-cent sales tax
- The Capital Complex Improvement District
- Federal Highway Administration funding ($46 million)
- Local matching funds ($29 million)
- An additional $40 million secured through financing
These funds will go toward:
- Street repairs
- Storm drainage improvements
- Ditch clearing
Much of the flooding in Jackson is due to deferred maintenance, and we are actively addressing that.
Flood Control and the Pearl River
We’re pleased that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving forward with the Pearl River flood control project (Plan B1).
This project will:
- Reduce flooding in northeast Jackson, downtown, and South Jackson
- Create recreational opportunities
- Support economic development along the river
Riverfront Development
One of our most exciting projects is a new riverfront park in downtown Jackson, near Jefferson Street.
We will soon begin clearing approximately 54 acres to start development. This project has the potential to:
- Transform downtown
- Attract visitors
- Serve as a major economic driver
Opportunity Zones and Economic Development
Jackson has nine designated Opportunity Zones, which provide incentives for investment.
We are actively working to attract development in areas such as:
- Downtown
- The Medical Mall corridor
- Jackson State University surroundings
- Historic districts
We are also exploring partnerships with organizations like The Bean Path, which aims to create a technology hub in Jackson focused on:
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Workforce development
The goal is to create opportunities so young people can build careers without leaving Mississippi.
Workforce Development
We’re addressing workforce gaps through partnerships with organizations like Metro Booming, which provides training in:
- Diesel mechanics
- Forklift operation
- Skilled trades
Mississippi currently has over 100,000 unfilled jobs, and we are working to connect residents with those opportunities.
City Services and Transparency
We are improving responsiveness to citizens by:
- Digitizing over 7,000 police records
- Launching a new city website and dashboard
- Enhancing the 311 system
- Hosting community listening sessions
Our goal is to make city government more transparent and accessible.
Water System Challenges
Jackson’s water system remains a major issue.
While progress has been made, we still need improvements in:
- Billing and collections
- Customer service
- Contracting processes
Long-term, we anticipate moving toward a third-party or regional management system, which is common across the country.
Public Safety Leadership
We have hired a highly experienced law enforcement leader with a background in:
- Major crimes and operations
- Community policing
- Use of technology in policing
We expect this leadership to modernize and strengthen our police department.
Arts, Culture, and Tourism
Jackson has tremendous cultural assets, including:
- Music
- Visual arts
- Literature
- Historic significance
We are supporting major events such as:
- Jubilee Jam
- The St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Symphony and blues collaborations
Tourism is a key economic driver, and we support efforts to increase funding for visitor development.
Reimagining Key Areas
We are working on plans to reimagine several important areas, including:
- The Fair Street corridor (entertainment district)
- Jackson State University housing developments
- The Medical Mall area
- The Jackson Zoo
The goal is to create vibrant, mixed-use spaces with:
- Housing
- Retail
- Community amenities
Call to Action
I encourage everyone to do their part:
- Get involved in your neighborhoods
- Support community initiatives
- Help address blight and public safety concerns
If we work together, Jackson can recover and grow stronger.
Q&A Highlights
Animal Control Issues
We are working to reestablish animal control services. Currently, capacity is limited, and we are exploring more humane and effective solutions.
Tourism Funding
Yes, I support increased funding for the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau. Tourism is critical to economic growth.
Traffic and Infrastructure
We are conducting a traffic study to right-size infrastructure for our current population and reduce inefficiencies.
Illegal Event Signage
We are exploring legal measures to hold event organizers accountable for cleanup of signage across the city.
Code Enforcement
We are restructuring planning and development processes to improve code enforcement and address issues like inappropriate commercial activity in residential areas.
