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In the year 2025, the Portsmouth City
Council has produced a progressive, responsive leadership team and
community partnerships that have created unparalleled success. The City
is nationally regarded for educational excellence and economic
prosperity. Our citizens are proud of themselves, their hometown, and
their neighborhoods. Portsmouth City Council is recognized for involving
all communities and citizens in its decision-making. Members of the City
Council encourage and nurture new ideas from citizens, employees,
business leaders, and the faith-based community to embrace new ways to
meet the challenges of the future.
Bold New
Leadership from the Portsmouth City Council and its partners has led to . . .
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Bold
New Directions
Our visionary leadership is proactive in anticipating the ever-changing
world. We boldly embrace the future in ways that inspire and challenge our
citizens to seize the opportunities of the new era. As a historic regional
partner, the City engages neighboring communities to solve area challenges.
We are committed to using innovation and emerging technologies to succeed in
the information and knowledge-based society and create a community of
international reputation.
World Class
Maritime Center
As a historic waterfront city, Portsmouth is strategically located in the
center of the eastern seaboard on the world’s largest natural harbor at mile
marker “0” on the intra-coastal waterway. The City boasts a world-class,
inter-modal transportation system supporting public and private marine
terminals as well as thriving, diverse military facilities. Our waterfront
features a unique mixture of recreational boating, marinas, tours, and
maritime support industries. Portsmouth is the gateway to international
shipping with a global reach.
Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community
Portsmouth citizens are encouraged to become active participants in the
process of creating their own quality of life, to ensure community safety
and to elevate the livability of their own neighborhoods, creating true
communities of choice for the 21st Century. Citizens work together with
local government to fully utilize human and community assets, thus producing
a state-of-the-art environment that includes excellent schools, public
facilities, parks, green spaces, gateways, and roadway corridors. Our
neighborhoods have been transformed into communities that promote and
celebrate diversity, equity, and the inclusiveness of all citizens.
Portsmouth’s rich cultural diversity is celebrated throughout the year in
festivals, concerts, and ceremonies. The City’s exceptional facilities
showcase the visual and performing arts. Portsmouth’s seasonal programs and
entertainment attract families and tourists from everywhere to celebrate its
people, history and future.
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A
Robust and Prospering Economy
Portsmouth is a financially prosperous community with a superior quality of
life. Residents enjoy diverse employment choices from maritime,
manufacturing, medical, military, marketing, management and technology-based
opportunities. Portsmouth municipal government has created an environment
that has embraced a long-term strategic military presence and generated
significant private investment. The City is broadly recognized for its
quality housing, highly skilled workforce, expanded tax base, and one of the
region’s lowest real estate tax rates, along with its enviable bond rating.
Lifelong Learning Community
Education is the foundation of our social, political, and economic wellbeing
and is the top priority of the City. Through collaborative efforts of City
Council, School Board, and the private sector, Portsmouth has exceptional
public and private schools. This includes learning opportunities for early
childhood, primary and secondary education, higher education, career
technical training, and workforce development. Its preferred educational
system has made Portsmouth a top choice for employers and families.
Portsmouth is recognized as a leader in providing learning opportunities to
students and adults in conjunction with world-class festivals, performances,
and exhibitions for the citizens of the region.
Pride of Past, Promise of Future
Portsmouth’s tomorrows are found in the footsteps of the richest traditions
of America, from the earliest days of Colonial Virginia through the
victories of equality, dignity, and diversity. As guardian of the collective
heritage of many people, we have become one. The Portsmouth family preserves
the proudest traditions of the past as the compass for our future, drawing
the grace of our spirit into the nobility of what we have become.
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We, the City Council,
do hereby pledge to make the utmost effort to ensure that these vision
statements become the
reality of life in Portsmouth, Virginia.
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