The Mentholee Norfleet Municipal Building in Newberry was packed on Thursday night, with extra rows of chairs added at the back and some attendees standing along the walls. 

The big draw was Newberry’s annual State of the City address from Mayor Jordan Marlowe, with pre-recorded video messages from city commissioners, all of whom were in attendance, and City Manager Mike New. 

The address focused on Newberry’s business successes, the new city hall building, public safety, parks and recreation, employee dedication and the upcoming AgFoodTech Park. 

Many local dignitaries appeared in the throng on Thursday, including Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton, School Board Member Tina Certain, Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott, County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler, Newberry Main Street Organization President Chris Mack, Alachua County Property Appraiser Ayesha Solomon and former State Rep. Debbie Boyd.  

The event started off with Taste of Newberry, for which eight local vendors brought food and drinks for attendees to fill their plates with. Then, people settled into chairs to hear a recap of Newberry’s accomplishments in 2024. 

“It’s hard to walk humbly,” Marlowe said at the beginning of his address. “From the Commission to our employees to our community, you guys are just too good at being great. I’m glad we started with the Taste of Newberry. The food was fantastic, but now we’re about to find out what success tastes like.” 

In the business sector, Commissioner Tony Mazon bragged through a video message of the new Publix set to open on March 6, as well as a thriving economy of local businesses. Mazon said Newberry has permitted 817 new residential homes and welcomed 163 new businesses in the last six years, about one new business for every five homes built. 

Commissioner Tim Marden’s video message focused on the new 11,000-square-foot city hall building that will help bring all city staff under one roof, allowing some portions of the existing city hall to eventually become multi-use spaces for citizens. 

In the city’s public safety efforts, Commissioner Mark Clark’s message touched on Newberry’s contract with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a new Quint 28 fire truck and brush truck for Newberry’s fire department. The fire department also recently became Advanced Life Support certified across the board, with a paramedic in every truck that goes out. 

Commissioner Rick Coleman played up the city’s parks and recreation department in his video message, saying youth sports participation grew over 11% last year, while adult sports participation grew over 41%. 

Commissioner Monty Farnsworth talked about city staff’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. He said staff was on high alert for weeks, getting Newberry’s power back within hours after a storm, helping other communities and hauling over 700 tons of debris, earning multiple awards for their dedication. 

The last video message was from New, who only has a few days left on the job before his resignation becomes effective as he transitions to the private sector. New spoke on one of his many projects, the upcoming AgFoodTech Park, an innovative research park that will launch its startup accelerator this year. 

Marlowe, who is set to become city manager after his term as mayor ends, said he wants to see Newberry move forward with pride in its past, and hope for its future. 

“My vision for Newberry is clear. It is a community that grows while staying grounded,” Marlowe said. “It is a city that provides opportunities for every single citizen while remaining rooted in compassion and care. But this vision, it is not mine alone. It belongs to each and every single one of us, and together, we can achieve it.” 

The State of the City address also included a moment to honor City Clerk Judy Rice, who Marlowe said is Newberry’s longest-serving employee in the city’s history, with 35 years of work accomplished. To recognize Rice before she retires this year, Marlowe and the City Commission presented her with a Key to the City. 

“In your absence, Miss Judy, we will remember and honor your example by continuing to work tirelessly in Newberry to ensure that we deliver on the fundamentals that our residents expect and deserve, and your legacy in the community and Newberry’s history is firmly secured,” Marlowe said.