Pine Bluff has declared itself the city of progress. We have established the standard ours collective actions should be determined to achieve. Unfortunately, obstacles have arisen before our community and stagnated our ability to progress. Many entrepreneurs have lacked opportunity in the local economy. The job market has shrunk, and young people throughout our schools have demanded more support as they fight against systemic barriers.
The Go Forward Pine Bluff Initiative, a coalition of people from throughout our city, has been collaborating to overcome these obstacles. They have been building a team of private investors, local officials, and residents to achieve progress for Pine Bluff. GFPB has the potential to advance our schools, improve infrastructure, and the local economy. The Go Forward Initiative is one of the most audacious and comprehensive plans to emerge in our city in the past few years. We now possess an important responsibility to ensure its success.
For this plan to succeed, our city must secure more resources. In previous years, local revenue has declined. Not only have declining revenues threatened our civil services, such as the police and fire departments, but they have softened our ability to revitalize our community. On June 13, residents should vote in favor of the ⅝ revenue increase, which will expand funding for community development, local schools, and civil services. Pine Bluff can not improve without our investments as a community. The opportunity of Pine Bluff to succeed does not rest in the hands of its elected officials or organizations, but with its people.