Economic Growth

We need to better serve our existing industries and businesses, attract new employers, and support our entrepreneurs. Doing this builds a healthier economy, one where people have opportunity and want to live.

Fiscal Responsibility

The city's budget has grown by more than $55M over the last eight years. This year's budget is more than $14M more than last year's budget - that's 9.9% growth in one year and more than $1M a month in new spending. This is not sustainable, nor does it factor in the nearly $300M of unfunded water and sewer projects. We need fresh eyes and new oversight on the city budget.

Better Connected City

Hickory needs to have safe streets so people can get to where they need to go. The city needs to be more responsive to taxpayers, businesses, and employers on the needs and issues they face. Our emergency services need to have everything they need to do their job effectively and efficiently. Our citizens need to know what the city offers them and how they can better use the city's resources and services.

Why do we need change?

Mayor Guess has served on Hickory City Council for 16 years. A lot has been accomplished but it is time for the next generation to step up and lead the city into its next phase. We need fresh eyes on the issues Hickory faces and new energy to guide us forward.