At the September meeting of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, held at the Lakeland Golf Club on Thursday, September 26, 2024, Mayor Josh Roman delivered his State of the City address to a packed audience. The event took a unique turn this year as Mayor Roman invited former elected officials—past mayors, commissioners, and school board members—to the meeting. The mayor took the opportunity to recognize the significant roles these leaders have played in Lakeland’s growth over the past decade, crediting both past and current leaders for contributing to the city’s success.
“The vision is working,” Mayor Roman said, as he spoke about the progress Lakeland has made in both education and commercial development. He noted the success of the Lakeland School System, which has consistently ranked in the top 10 in the state of Tennessee across several categories. He emphasized that the attention the schools have brought to the city is a direct reflection of the community’s investment in its future.
During his presentation, Mayor Roman showcased a slideshow illustrating Lakeland’s transformation since 2012—the year Memphis City Schools dissolved, prompting suburban communities like Lakeland to create their own school systems. Some of the city’s key developments since 2013 include the creation of Lakeland Schools, new residential neighborhoods, The Lake District, Lakeland Town Square, various athletic complexes, the establishment of Lakeland’s first municipal court, and public amenities like a new dog park and amphitheater at IH Clubhouse and the removal of old hotels that had become crime problems. The mayor also announced current projects in various stages of development, including the construction of a Lakeland YMCA and a mixed-use development called Ashmont.
One of the most striking points in Mayor Roman’s address was the city’s growth in commercial sales tax revenue. In 2012, Lakeland generated less than $100,000 in sales tax—a figure that severely limited its street repair budget at the time. By 2024, the city’s sales tax revenue had ballooned to $3.4 million, with projections of $4.2 million for 2025.
“Lakeland has transformed since 2012,” Roman stated. “And we still have a lot of work to do.”
