Thunder Bay's mayor says the city is transforming and heading in the right direction.

Keith Hobbs delivered a state-of-the-city address to Thunder Bay's business community at a breakfast event Wednesday morning.

About 200 people were in attendance as Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs listed the many things he was excited about during a state-of-the-city address Wednesday morning. (Matt Prokopchuk/CBC)

He gave examples of that transformation, including new development along the waterfront and in the south core, and the expansion of medical research facilities.

The general manager of the Anemki Mountain Corporation, an economic development group on the Fort William First Nation, said she was encouraged after listening to the speech.

“The big thing I took away was hope,” Cheryl Guse-Bannon said. “Hope for Thunder Bay, and the success of Thunder Bay, and the growth that's coming. It's exciting.”

Guse-Bannon said it was exciting to hear about the potential for growth in areas such as mining.

Safe neighbourhoods

About 200 people were in attendance as Hobbs listed the many things he was enthused about: numerous construction projects in the city, new businesses moving into Innova Park and an increase in housing and condominium construction .

Hobbs noted the city's lower-than-average jobless rate, new programs at Lakehead University (e.g. the Law School) and Confederation College, the future of mining in the area, as well as the success of current mining projects.

The mayor pointed to the relationship between the city and Fort William First Nation and how that's led to economic growth.

He also mentioned the May 2012 flood and congratulated city administration and the flood relief fund committee for the work they did, as well as the business community's contributions.

Hobbs highlighted a need for strong, safe neighbourhoods and gave mention to community group members in the Ogden-Simpson area — as well as the Windsor Street area — for their work.