Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun forecasted a fabulous future for the city thanks largely to Amazon.
“Hobart is going to be the place to be,” Huddlestun said.
Huddlestun, in a one-hour State of the City address Wednesday, spoke about the city’s many accomplishments of the past year, ending with his thoughts on the future.
“I think the skies are the limit,” Huddlestun said.
Huddlestun, a Democrat, has served as the city’s mayor since Jan. 1, 2024.
His speech, which was held in the Hobart High School auditorium, was attended by some 120 residents, including Aurelia Bowers.
Bowers, who has lived in Hobart 45 years, said she enjoyed the speech made by the mayor, whom she’s known since he was a baby.
“He does a great job for Hobart. He listens to everyone. He is present,” Bowers said.
City Councilman John Brezik, D-5th, agreed with Bowers.
“We’re going in the right direction and the majority of the city agrees,” Brezik said.
Not everyone was happy with Huddlestun’s message, especially his reference to Amazon and the planned data centers at a 725-acre farm field at 61st and Colorado.
Beth Blomiley, who wore her No Data Center T-shirt, called the mayor’s message “candy-coated.”
“It was totally one-sided,” Blomiley said.
Blomiley, and others with the No Data Center group, held a protest in front of the school before the mayor’s address, with a small group attending the speech.
The No Data Center group has continued to protest at the beginning of Hobart City Council meetings, pass out fliers and get their message across to fellow Hobart residents about their opposition.
Four Hobart residents have filed multiple lawsuits in opposition to the project, one of which was denied and one dismissed in federal court, and 15 residents filed appeals in opposition to the landfill permit.
All 15 appeals were turned down by city officials.
Huddlestun, in his message, referenced the negative impact Senate Enrolled Act 1 will have on the city’s budget.
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The bill, passed last year by the state, offers property tax relief to taxpayers by reducing the revenue local governments use to provide services to residents.
For the city of Hobart, the impact could mean a cut in the budget of an estimated $5-7 million.
That could mean getting rid of such amenities as parks and public safety positions, including a reduction of police and firefighters.
“Senate Bill 1 will hit all of us hard,” Huddlestun said.
Huddlestun said he is thankful for the funding that has already come from the future Amazon data center development.
“For the first time in history we can really, really grow,” Huddlestun said.
The city at the end of January received a $47 million check from Amazon, which is in the bank and gaining interest.
In addition, the city will receive $10 million when the first building permit is issued and another $45 million when the first building walls go up.
Huddlestun projected, in his presentation, another $43 million in 2027; $40 million in 2028 and $50 million in 2029 coming to Hobart from the Amazon project.
“This is significant,” Huddlestun said.
That income can go toward delivering to Hobart residents necessary services, including paving and drainage, sidewalks, sports programs and fields, and schools.
“We can invest in the downtown,” Huddlestun said.
Huddlestun, at the beginning of his speech, thanked his staff, elected constituents and city employees.
He also pointed out a number of pluses, including the issuance of 118 residential building permits this past year.
“People want to live in Hobart,” Huddlestun said.
There’s also been some major business growth in Hobart, including a $35 million expansion project by Daifuku, a $180 million expansion project by Lineage Logistics, and the addition of Steinhafels furniture store across from Southlake Mall.
Future plans call for upgrading several city parks, including major renovations to Festival Park and the Brickie Bowl.
Residents are invited to attend a public input session from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the park, 111 E. Old Ridge Road, to discuss the next chapter of Festival Park.
“Festival Park will be absolutely beautiful; more beautiful than it already is,” Huddlestun said.
Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.