State of the City Address
By: Kristen Kennedy
Updated: January 16, 2009
Lubbock Mayor Tom Martin says our city is isolated from much of the violent economic swings gripping the rest of the nation. In Tuesday's annual State of the City address, Martin talked about Lubbock's economic prowess and growth prospects. Martin says he wants to make our city the nation's capital in wind power production, and will continue to support Texas Tech's expansion plans. Martin says we boast higher trends than the national averages in retail sales - that means more sales tax revenue from places like the South Plains Mall.
"The area we have out here, the diversification of our economy really gives us a lot of strength and so I think that helped us get through 2008 and I think it will help us weather the storm in 2009 as well," says Beth Bridges with the South Plains Mall.
Because sales taxes brought in more income than expected, Mayor Martin says pay raises for city employees are being considered.
