13-05-2025
Suffolk mayor touts job creation, population growth in ‘cool' State of the City
During the State of the City address on Tuesday, Mayor Mike Duman announced continued investment in Suffolk that illustrates how the city continues to welcome new businesses and residents at a remarkable pace.
'We've made great strides this year, whether it's economic development, infrastructure development or community engagement,' Duman said. 'Suffolk is a city on the rise — rooted in history, driven by innovation and united by a shared love for this place we call home.'
He emphasized how Suffolk was the fastest-growing city in the commonwealth, with an 8.7% population increase from 2020 to 2024.
Commercial real estate development in the city over the last five years has exceeded $2.7 billion, resulting in more than $29.8 million in annual revenue, he said. During this same time frame, approximately 13,663 jobs were created. He noted that major employers reported that more than half of their workforces live in Suffolk, up from only 20% to 30% previously.
'Now, I know I told you Suffolk is cool, and we are,' Duman said. 'But related to economic development opportunities for private investment and job creation, we are hot.'
Duman shared that Automatic Coating will add more than 21,000-square-feet to their facility with a $4 million investment — just two years after opening their U.S. headquarters in Suffolk Industrial Park.
Solenis, a chemical company in the city for more than 40 years, is investing an additional $76 million toward its local operations — increasing its total planned investment to nearly $270 million — with an 80,000-square-foot production and packaging building, tank farm, rail spur and 38 more jobs.
Transnational Foods will move its operations into a new 350,000-square-foot facility at Coastal Logistics II.
And the new Harbour View Medical Center, the first 'smart hospital' within the Bon Secours Mercy Health system, opened this month after an $80 million expansion.
Other city milestones included the opening this past year of Downtown Festival Park — a symbol of the city's resilience and spirit following the tornado that ripped through its center five years ago.
Fire Station 11, with advanced training space and specialized response teams, opens this summer, he said. The new two-story Suffolk Central Library is anticipated to open this fall and the new 94,500-square-foot campus for John F. Kennedy Middle School is on track to open in 2026.
The presentation highlighted the infrastructure improvements that are underway and nearing completion, including the expansion of the U.S. 58 corridor with three miles widening from four to six lanes, new sidewalks, a multi-use path, upgraded signals and improved drainage.
Duman said the city continues to address challenges with the strain on the city's roads and traffic systems, with more than $229 million in projects under construction and more than $368 million in additional projects under design.
Wearing dark-colored sunglasses, Duman addressed a sold-out crowd of about 540 people during the event, the final in the series hosted by the Hampton Roads Chamber. Each attendee received a pair of sunglasses further emphasizing the city's coolness.
'Suffolk isn't cool by accident,' the mayor said. 'We're cool by nature, cool by design and cool by choice.'
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836,
