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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:5.0pt;color:#00467E"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#00467E"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="color:#00467E">News Media Contact<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="right" style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#00467E"><a href="mailto:Derrick.Stanfield@DurhamNC.gov">Derrick.Stanfield@DurhamNC.gov</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:50.0pt;color:#00467F">News Release</span><span style="color:#00467F;text-transform:uppercase">
</span><br>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#EF3D42">For Immediate Release: January 8, 2024</span><span style="color:#D3372A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Mayor Leonardo Williams Presents Top Priorities for Durham’s Future</span></b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Citywide Listening Tours Planned for Public Input</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">DURHAM, N.C. – Today, Mayor Leonardo Williams <a href="https://youtube.com/live/53x46ZkjiVo?feature=share">
announced his immediate priorities for Durham’s future</a>: Building a safer and better-connected Durham; Continuing the revitalization of Durham’s economy; and Developing Durham’s workforce now and for the future.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Mayor Williams noted that while these areas are important to Durham’s successful future, other topics need to be addressed, as well. “It is important to me to define immediate needs, but in no way does that take away from other priority
areas that demand more focus, including how we build a safer Durham and affordable housing.” Williams said. “I’ll address those areas as well during my upcoming State of the City in the coming weeks.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Since his recent inauguration and during his time as a City Council member, Mayor Williams has already obtained funding and secured many of the action steps needed to deliver on his priorities. To help meet his goals, he has identified
three focus areas and will embark on a listening tour around the city to hear from City of Durham department leaders, the business community, and residents about their ideas on how the city can move forward together in the following areas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Community Development: Enhancing Safety and Mobility<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Mayor Williams is committed to enhancing safety and mobility for residents of Durham, to foster inclusive prosperity throughout the city. From saving lives to providing enriched quality of life for every resident of Durham, Mayor Williams
seeks to ensure that the government fulfills its responsibility to provide equitable and holistic services for all.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Economic Development: Energizing Durham’s Economic Engine</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In addition to continuing to champion the revitalization of Downtown Durham as the city’s economic core, Mayor Williams will also focus on expanding the economic viability of neighborhoods citywide. Mayor Williams is committed to forging
Durham as the Triangle’s epicenter of opportunity. Actions include exploring the development of a new convention center, enhancing marketing and branding, and launching new events and festivals throughout Durham to expand commerce and tourism downtown.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Workforce Development: Developing and Retaining Talent<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Mayor Williams will provide more intense focus on developing and retaining local talent to support the city’s existing and new businesses, while at the same time preparing Durham’s workforce for the city’s current and emerging industries.
“I believe that with the support of our community, our City Council members and City administration, we can move the needle significantly in these and other top priority areas, but we must work together,” Williams said. “This great city deserves no less.”<i><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Immediate Next Steps<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Within the coming weeks Mayor Williams will establish industry-specific advisory councils including, but not limited to, economic development, housing, the environment, and innovation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">For questions or requests to meet, contact Special Assistant to the Mayor Derrick Stanfield by
<a href="mailto:derrick.stanfield@durhamnc.gov">email</a> or by calling (919) 560-4333.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">To watch today’s press conference, visit the <a href="https://youtube.com/live/53x46ZkjiVo?feature=share">
City’s YouTube channel</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>Office of the Mayor<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The City of Durham mayor serves as the presiding officer of the City Council, votes on all matters, and appoints individuals to resident boards, committees, and commissions. To learn more, visit the Mayor’s
<a href="https://www.durhamnc.gov/1315/Office-of-the-Mayor">webpage</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center">###<o:p></o:p></p>
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