Jackson Mayor John Horhn took the podium Tuesday at the Mississippi Museum of Art for his first State of the City speech, using the opportunity to tout achievements during his first three and a half months in office and giving residents a glimpse into his plans for the future.
The Democrat, who previously served as a state senator and won the mayor’s office in his fourth bid, spoke for over 30 minutes on an array of topics such as public safety, infrastructure, blight, resident care, economic development, and entertainment opportunities. At the crux of every topic was one word Horhn repeated on the campaign trail and continues to vouch as a key to success: relationships.
He opened by thanking local, state, and federal elected officials in attendance and otherwise, the people who make up his administration, those working in tandem with his administration, his family, and all of the city’s roughly 144,000 residents.
“Thank you again for giving me an opportunity to lead our city and for trusting me with this responsibility,” he said. “I consider it to be one of the greatest opportunities of my life.”
The relationships built by Horhn over his three-decade-plus career in government have already begun to bear fruit for the capital, he said. He provided several examples, including an agreement with the Hinds County Board of Supervisors to repair potholes, securing at least $125 million through local and federal sources for further infrastructure improvements, and working with congressional members to reallocate money to Jackson’s water system for operations and maintenance costs.
On the city level, several task forces have been created under Horhn on issues such as addressing homelessness and providing oversight of apartment landlords. On the state level, the House of Representatives has extended its Jackson revitalization committee and the Senate recently announced a similar committee.
Horhn said all of that, combined with working partnerships with suburb governments and private entities, makes for the beginning of the entire state buying back into its largest city.
“We’re working to rebuild hope, trust and optimism,” he said. “We’re building stronger relationships, not just in city hall and within the city council but also by partnering with neighboring towns and Hinds County.”
He said residents are buying back in, too, as proven by a well-attended citywide clean-up effort this past weekend to freshen up main corridors and entrances.
“It’s contagious,” he asserted.
In terms of cleaning up dilapidated areas, Horhn’s administration has worked through over 325 cases of blight mitigation since taking office in July. He’s also floated the idea of allocating around $1 million to each of the seven wards for blight reduction.
Horhn believes that areas that he’s often said “look like a bomb was dropped” can be cleaned and turned into efficient spaces.
“I believe it’s time we reimagine our vacant and dilapidated spaces as opportunities,” he said. “Instead of empty lots and overgrown corners, we can create…vibrant urban farms, places that bring life back into our neighborhoods, provide fresh food options, and turn blight into beauty for the people of Jackson.”
Another area he wants to see reimagined is the Jackson Zoo, which sits in the western part of the city. Once the most-visited zoo in Mississippi, its attendance has dwindled and spurred ideas of it being moved elsewhere. Horhn doesn’t think it needs to be moved; rather, with steady work and taking advantage of resources, it can thrive once again. His administration announced Monday that a more than $100,000 water leak inside the zoo was being repaired.
“By tapping into state and federal and state tax credits along with historic tax credits, we can restore the zoo and bring it back to a place where families can spend their days and children can make memories,” he said. “Now, we’re still shaping that vision, but we haven’t given up on the zoo. Its story isn’t over. It can once again be a cornerstone of pride and learning for our community and we intend to see that through.”
Horhn reaffirmed that Thalia Mara Hall, one of the city’s largest entertainment venues, is set to reopen in early 2026 after a lengthy battle with mold. Another incoming entertainment option is the National Folk Festival and its three-year residency beginning next month. It’s expected to bring hundreds of artists and millions in revenue.
As for public safety, Horhn’s administration is in the midst of a broad search for a new chief of the Jackson Police Department. While crime numbers are down – highlighted by a 43% year-over-year decrease in homicides – he said the initial window of two to three months for a new chief is being extended to “find the best possible police chief we can find.”
His team has held seven listening sessions in recent weeks and opened a web survey to get input from residents on qualities they would like to see in a new chief. The city council recently voted, at Horhn’s request, to contract with a search firm credited with aiding in successful law enforcement hires in places like Boston and Denver.
“We’re conducting a nationwide search for a new chief. Now, that is not to say that we’re closing the door on any local applicants [or] regional applicants,” Horhn explained. “It became clear that time isn’t the measure that matters most. The process is. What counts is getting this decision right, not getting it fast. We’re listening to every voice, weighing every perspective, because this road carries real weight for our city’s future.”
Horhn predicted crime will continue to trickle down as his administration works to open the door to additional officers, better equipment, and more technology. He added that another goal is to introduce more counseling, workforce training, and recreational opportunities for “young people going down the wrong path.”
Two new announcements Horhn made pertained to attracting economic development and helping single mothers battling poverty.
For the first time, the Mississippi Development Authority has assigned a dedicated private officer to specifically focus on Jackson. This comes as economic development has blossomed in other parts of the state and even right across the city line with Amazon constructing a pair of $10 billion data centers in Madison County. MDA is the state agency focused on attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, and creating jobs.
A continued partnership with a local nonprofit, Magnolia Mother’s Trust, is resulting in a new pledge of $1 million going to support single mothers living in public housing. Each mother will receive $1,000 a month for 12 months through the guaranteed income initiative.
“This program proves what we already know and that’s when you trust people and give them the tools to succeed, they rise to the occasion,” Horhn said. “These mothers will use this support to lift their families out of poverty, pay down debt, pursue education, and build a foundation of generational success. This is empowerment in action.”
Lastly, Horhn said a comprehensive market value analysis is underway to take a “clear-eyed look” at where the city currently stands with that soon turning into a strategic plan aligning development, infrastructure, and economic goals. He believes this, combined with a unified approach, will result in a better Jackson for many years to come.
“Jackson’s best days aren’t behind us. They’re in front of us. And I don’t know about you, but I can see those best days from here,” he said. “I know the challenges we face, but I also know the potential that lives. … This is just a start. Our story is not finished. The next chapter is up to all of us. Our time is now. Jackson is rising.”