Mayor Linda Jeffrey will deliver the final state of the city address of her inaugural mayoral term to local business leaders next week (Feb. 6).

Hosted by the Brampton Board of Trade, the mayor’s state of the city address provides the business community an opportunity to hear from the mayor on opportunities and challenges facing Brampton, as well as some of the projects, initiatives and announcements in store for the coming year.

This year’s event will be held at Millennium Gardens Banquet Centre, 20 Polonia Ave., in Brampton.

“These are exciting times in Brampton. We are finally pushing forward after years of stagnation — that comes at a price, but it is worth it if it means we are building a better future for our residents,” Jeffrey stated recently. “We are building a city of more than just homes — Brampton will be more than just a sleeping city. I remain committed to the promise I made three years ago. I promised to challenge the status quo, to do things differently, and I know residents expect no less of me.”

In what is expected to be a campaign-style speech tailored to this city’s business community, Jeffrey will recap the work she’s done in her inaugural term as mayor and possibly offer a glimpse at a campaign platform ahead of her reelection bid.

Amid lofty expectations, Jeffrey has had a tumultuous first term in office, as a deep schism caused by personal pettiness divided council this term and prevented her from accomplishing much legislatively.

During last year’s state of the city address, Jeffrey laid out plans to reappoint former Ontario auditor general Jim McCarter to review Brampton’s progress on the financial front, after his 2015 report highlighted a number of concerns at the local government level from a skyrocketing staff payroll to depleting reserves.

Council denied Jeffrey’s wish to rehire McCarter. In December, they also derailed her plans for a permanent auditor general.

Jeffrey will recap her efforts over the term to grow the local economy and attract new employment.

She will also look to play up her vision for a modern, vibrant Brampton, which now largely rests with the province's post-secondary education plans and her grand idea of turning the city into the Silicon Valley North.