Hawthorne Mayor Alex Vargas keeps his residents and fellow dignitaries of neighboring cities up to date on the latest news, agendas, and current events affecting the City of Hawthorne with his annual State of the City Address at Hawthorne Memorial Center Wednesday afternoon, August 16, 2023. Highlighting economic successes, innovative programs to benefit the public, and upcoming projects with thriving businesses,

Mayor Vargas celebrates many accomplishments recently made with an informative and light-hearted speech about his city’s successes.

Residents and dignitaries alike got the chance to socialize while enjoying food and beverage from local vendors and experience South Bay Ford’s exciting displays of their new 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Electric Truck and the best-selling Ford Bronco. The City of Hawthorne’s Police Department and Fire Department provided information and support to all in attendance, while showcasing a range of equipment. Following social hour Mayor Vargas conveyed what he and his team have been working on as well as additional triumphs made after implementing an economic development plan allowing Hawthorne to continue to bounce back from economic troubles brought to light a few years back.

“The city’s cash balance has risen 1,500%,” said Vargas.

So much so, that many improvements have already begun to advance Hawthorne’s City of Good Neighbors. Hawthorne’s Public Works Department has successfully installed 600 T-Parking spaces and 24 speed bumps, replaced 330 street signs, and removed 300 tons of bulky items from the city’s streets and 26,000 sq. ft. of graffiti. The city’s homeless population has also decreased by 50% since 2020 with the help of Emergency Relief Programs, Fair Housing Community Workshops, Unhoused to Work Homeless Services, and more within the city’s Housing Department. On top of that plans are underway to remodel City Hall!

“Hawthorne is going 100% Green Power,” Vargas continued.

From placing EV charging stations to several capital projects, starting in October, Hawthorne’s homes and businesses will run on 100% clean, renewable energy. This will reduce 178.5 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which is equal to planting 1.3 million trees. The City of Hawthorne is committed to continuing its economic expansion efforts to further improve resources, appeal, and quality of life.

To view the State of the City Address, please visit: State of the City Address on YouTube