LEFT: Farmington Mayor Joe LaRussa spoke at a State of the Cities event last year. This year’s State of the Cities event is scheduled to take place April 1 at The Hawk. RIGHT: Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich shares a laugh as she makes a State of the Cities address last year. Rich and Farmington Mayor Joe LaRussa are set to address residents of Farmington and Farmington Hills again this year.
By: Gena Johnson | Farmington Press | Published March 14, 2025
FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS — In an effort to engage the community at large, the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce will host a State of the Cities event April 1 at The Hawk.
Events are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., with addresses to residents of Farmington and Farmington Hills set to start at 7 p.m.
State of the Cities events have traditionally taken place during morning hours, with a paid breakfast for about 100 people at a room inside The Hawk. This year, it will be a three-tiered event, with a business expo, a VIP reception and State of the Cities presentations, according to Susan Arlin, CEO of the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It really wasn’t engaging the community at large because the venue was too small. So we would sell out the breakfast and it wouldn’t leave room for anybody from the community or those people who didn’t want to buy a breakfast,” Arlin said.
The business expo, which is scheduled to take place from 4:30-6 p.m., is designed to acquaint the community with about 50 local businesses. It offers attendees an opportunity to see what the businesses offer and meet the owners and managers.
This event is free to the public. Those attending the expo will receive a free one-day pass to The Hawk.
The VIP reception, set to take place from 5-6:30 p.m., allows those in attendance to talk to elected officials, business owners and community leaders. Tickets for this event are $75 per person.
The State of the Cities addresses are scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m.
As the community enters the auditorium, they will be greeted with music from the 70-member Farmington Concert Band, which plays at local venues.
The auditorium seats about 750 people. The State of the Cities is free and all are welcome.
Registration is requested for all of the events to determine how many will be in attendance. To register, visit www.gfachamber.com/events/events-calendar/%23!event/2025/4/1/2025-state-of-the-cities-1.
At the State of the Cities, Farmington Mayor Joe LaRussa, Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich, Oakland Community College Chancellor Peter Provenzano and Farmington Schools Superintendent Kelly Coffin will give the addresses.
The mayors welcome the event being in the evening.
“Based on feedback we received, I think this is going to be a more convenient time for people to attend and hear from the community leaders,” LaRussa said. “I think in the past having it during working hours has been an obstacle for people to attend.”
Rich explained why she is a proponent of the change.
“I think this is very exciting that the chamber has chosen to hold this event in the evening,” she said. “It encourages community members to be engaged in local government…They’re making it a free event. This makes it even more accessible for everyone in the community.”
The mayors shared a preview of what’s to come.
According to LaRussa, he will follow the tradition of the mayors who came before him and recap the city’s accomplishments, cast a vision, and address ongoing projects.
Among the topics he is set to address is a fiber infrastructure project that both Farmington and Farmington Hills have been involved with.
The “Farmington Area FiberCity” project was described in a prior press release as a “revolutionary fiber optic infrastructure investment that will bring a fast, affordable and reliable all-fiber internet network to every home, business, and institution in both cities.”
“The build is happening right now. SiFi Networks is building the network and they have recently presented a timely plan that said they will complete the Farmington build by June of this year,” LaRussa said, “That will be a statement I will make at the State of the Cities.”
Rich plans to focus her address on the joy, optimism and resilience that is present in the city.
According to Rich, she has a special surprise to share that positively reflects the community.
“I am sure the community members will leave just smiling, feeling optimistic about their future in Farmington Hills,” Rich said. “I can’t tell you anything else about it at this point. You just have to come.”