Broome says despite challenges, city is making progress

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - In her 2023 state of the city speech, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome began by addressing concerns folks have voiced about people leaving the city for better opportunities, particularly those in their 20′s. But according to BRAC, the city of Baton Rouge has taken in more than 8,600 new residents.

“The 2021 data revealed and 2022 shows that more people moved into baton rouge than out,” said Broome.

BRAC’s data also showed more than 2,000 new businesses have come to the Capital City since 2020. However, it’s unclear how many of those businesses were closed and just reopened after the lockdowns. The new Amazon facility where the old Cortana mall used to be is also poised to bring in thousands of new jobs.

“According to economist Loren Scott, the opening of this gigantic Amazon facility at the old Cortana site and the expected industrial construction boom is positioning the Baton Rouge metro area to gain 12,400 jobs over the next few years,” Broome added.

Environmentally, the city has made efforts to clear out areas devastated by litter and other waste. Totaling 20,000 bags of litter, 156 tons of garbage, and more than 40,000 tires.

On the issue of crime, BRPD says there has been a 21% decrease in city-limit homicides as of December 22, 2022. But Mayor Broome says more can be done with the public’s help.

“However, what I think we are not doing enough of is working together in the same direction,” said the Mayor.

Officers also received a 13% pay raise as well as a$10,000 to $15,000 recruitment and retention bonus for 2023 academy graduates.

Although we’re still a year away, Mayor Broome did not use today as an opportunity to announce she’s running for re-election. She’s still eligible to serve one more consecutive term as mayor.

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