Gainesville mayor gives state of the city address

Gainesville is headed toward an innovation based economy and an expanded downtown. Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe gave his state of the city address today, praising technological start-ups for leading the way in the development of this economy. Lowe says the expansion of the downtown area has been integral in the development of the city.

[audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/Lowe41.mp3|titles=Lowe4] Lowe emphasized his commitment to technology start ups. He says the Innovation Hub will bring jobs that the city will greatly benefit from.

[audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/Lowe1.mp3|titles=Lowe1]

Lowe commended the current mobile app development company Too-Too-It as a poster child for the type of development he’s trying to bring. Too-Too-It Co-Founder Jordan Johnson says the mayor is doing a good job of making these companies feel welcome.

[audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/Johnson1a.mp3|titles=Johnson1a]

Johnson says the state of the city address made him excited about the future of his company in Gainesville.

[audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/Johnson3a.mp3|titles=Johnson3a]

Mayor Lowe says the development of these start up companies will attract retail companies and a thriving service industry. Tasty Buddha Restaurants President Parker VanHeart says he agrees.

[audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/VanHeart-2.mp3|titles=VanHeart 2]

VanHeart says the current safety of downtown will not be an issue for attracting retail businesses.

[audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/01/VanHeart-3.mp3|titles=VanHeart 3]

Mayor Craig Lowe also emphasized the need for environmental protection and conservation efforts. He is up for re-election in the spring of next year.

[View the story “Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe’s State of the City Address in Tweets” on Storify]