Building Harrisonburg’s Future

In 2022 I laid out a clear direction for Harrisonburg.

Over the past several years, we've made real progress — turning that direction into decisions, investments, and results you can see across the city.

This work isn't finished. But the record is strong — and the next phase is already in motion.

Opportunity & Affordability

Housing, child care, and transportation are three of the biggest challenges facing growing communities like Harrisonburg — and three of the clearest places where local government can make a real difference.

Housing

Increased housing production across all income levels through a combination of policy, funding, and incentives
Directed $2 million in federal funds to support affordable housing development by local developers
Implemented fee waivers to incentivize affordable housing development
Advanced affordable housing opportunities on City-owned land
Doubled tax relief available to senior homeowners on fixed incomes — helping long-time residents stay in their homes

Child Care

Invested nearly $600,000 in the Child Care Pathway Program — including $446,000 in direct grants to five providers (three new centers, two expansions) — created in partnership with the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center and Early Education Business Consultants
Supported 11 Harrisonburg providers through a full business development program
Required all grantees to become Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program vendors, ensuring access for lower-income families

Transportation

Adopted a 10-year transit plan to expand service, improve reliability, and modernize the system for a growing city
Replaced aging fleet with 15 new buses, including the city's first electric buses
Launched HB Connect and HB Access — the first full transit rebrand in 20+ years
Advanced millions in Smart Scale funding for road safety, pedestrian infrastructure, and bike lanes across the city

Next priorities
Expand housing options across all income levels, with a focus on affordability and access

Build on early childhood efforts to expand child care access and long-term stability
Continue modernizing transportation systems to improve access, mobility, and connectivity

Looking ahead
Continue advancing early childhood access as a core part of long-term success

Strengthen connections between schools, workforce, and community opportunity

Investing in Our Future: Public Schools

Public schools are our most important investment and the heart of Harrisonburg's future.

Grew the city's support of public schools from $37 million to $52 million over three years — a 40% increase
Helped deliver Rocktown High School as a critical city investment in our students and our future
Championed the addition of universal early childhood education to the City's official vision — ensuring it's a core commitment, not an afterthought
Served as a key strategic partner with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce in their early childhood work

Expanding Economic Opportunity

A strong local economy means opportunity that reaches every part of Harrisonburg — including small businesses and entrepreneurs who've historically had less access to capital and support.

Launched HEDI — the Harrisonburg Entrepreneurship Development Initiative
Guided 200+ promising small businesses through technical assistance and grants
Secured entrepreneurship funding through the National League of Cities' Southern Cities Economic Initiative
Supported a tourism plan generating a record $243 million in visitor spending

Continuing the work
Grow small business and entrepreneurship support systems

Expand pathways to economic mobility and financial stability
Strengthen regional partnerships that bring new opportunities to Harrisonburg

Next steps
Continue integrating sustainability into infrastructure and long-term planning

Build on community-centered planning efforts to strengthen neighborhoods
Continue strengthening Harrisonburg’s identity as a welcoming city and expand access to opportunity for all residents

Build an Inclusive, Sustainable Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg is strongest when growth reaches every neighborhood and every resident.

Environmental Sustainability

Purchased 100+ acres of land to plant over 9,000 trees creating forested habitat for pollinators while saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in Chesapeake Bay compliance costs
Launched Harrisonburg's Pollinator Corridor and Downtown Walking Tour
Built a new Public Works facility designed to operate at net-zero energy, improving operations while reducing long-term costs.

Equity & Opportunity

Advanced the Northeast Neighborhood Small Area Plan — Harrisonburg's first — as both a planning milestone and an economic empowerment initiative
Serving in the National League of Cities' Race, Equity & Leadership initiative, keeping Harrisonburg connected to national best practices on this front

Keep Harrisonburg Working

Core services, utilities, and infrastructure have to operate at the high standard that's come to define Harrisonburg — that doesn't happen by accident.

Opened Fire Station 5, improving emergency response times in north Harrisonburg
Implemented a citywide compensation study — sustaining four years of workforce improvements because strong services depend on strong people
Achieved 29 consecutive years of GFOA recognition for excellence in financial reporting
Maintained AA+/Aa2 bond ratings, reflecting sound financial management and long-term stability

What's next

Continue strengthening core services and infrastructure as the city grows
Maintain strong financial footing while managing rising costs and service demands

Building on Our Momentum

Over the past four years, we’ve turned priorities into action and action into results.

Harrisonburg has real momentum. We’ve expanded opportunity, strengthened our schools, invested in infrastructure, and built a stronger foundation for the future.

The work isn’t finished.

As our city continues to grow, the choices we make today will shape Harrisonburg for decades to come. I’m committed to continuing the thoughtful, collaborative leadership that has helped move our community forward.