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Wilmington Mayor Pat Haley delivered the State of the City address, highlighting the ongoing rezoning discussions for four parcels related to a proposed Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center. The city is facing significant decisions regarding the AWS campus, which Mayor Haley described as its biggest challenge in decades.

He noted the importance of city council's role in this process. The Water Department completed major upgrades and plans to refurbish a 30-year-old pump station by 2026. The new wastewater treatment plant began operating in September 2025.

The Fire Department responded to 3,982 calls in 2025, while the Police Department made over 700 arrests. Wilmington Transit provided over 120,000 rides last year. Parks and Recreation saw strong participation in athletic programs, and the Code Enforcement Department focused on property compliance and zoning issues.