City Leaders See Growth
City Manager Galen Mahle and Economic Development Director Rob Jackson entered their administrative positions during a period of substantial progress for Centralia, and both are supporting those efforts while cultivating additional progress.
“We are seeing a large amount of growth,” said Mahle, who came into the city manager position in early 2025. “We are seeing large projects and new businesses that are starting to really show up, not only in downtown, but in other areas like the Castle Ridge project.”
Mahle continued, saying, “We are seeing people investing in businesses in Centralia and potentially relocating to Centralia. I think that proves we have things to offer people who aren’t from here. This is a place that people look at now and see things happening and want to be involved. I think that’s exciting.”
Jackson, who previously served on the city council and tourism commission, entered the role of economic development director in the summer of 2025. He feels the city’s progress is partly due to a shift in community perception – both internal and external.
“When I was on the tourism commission, one of our goals was to flip the script and paint positive images of the community,” said Jackson. “I think that spark is truly what helped the current development that’s happening now. We really made sure people were seeing our positives and our opportunities.”
Jackson continued. “You can see the developments and the people that are investing in our community. We are so grateful to them for believing in us and our mission.”
When discussing his plans for continued growth in Centralia, Mahle said beautification and the removal of blighted properties is high on his list.
“We’re seeing growth, we’re seeing expansion of businesses, and a focus of mine is to continue the cleanup efforts in the areas of Centralia that need it,” Mahle explained. “We know that we have some really good properties and some really great businesses. We also know that we have some blight. We have some homes that need to be addressed.”
Mahle said the city just recently adopted a building code that will benefit Centralia residents.
“From here on out, we’re going to start these new processes with holding landlords accountable for providing adequate living facilities with their tenants,” said Mahle. “Over the next few years, we’re going to be energizing a robust inspection process and making sure that everyone that is a property owner in Centralia is doing the right thing.”
Mahle said he and the city are also putting efforts in place to beautify each of the four arteries into town.
“I have heard from people that come into Centralia – whether it’s their first time here or they’ve been coming here for years – they see of all the good things we have, but they pass by a lot of run-down properties and things that aren’t as appealing on their way in and out of town,” said Mahle. “That’s something that we’re going to be addressing. While it’s not necessarily a fun conversation to have, it’s exciting in the fact that we know we want to do better. I think there are a lot of people out there that want to.”
Mahle and Jackson also discussed the city’s new water treatment plant, an ongoing project which broke ground under the previous administration.
“This began when I started on the city council in 2021,” said Jackson. “We made it a priority to get this project done. So, I am able to see it from both sides now – the city council side and now the administrative side.”
“The water treatment plant is a very important project for us,” Mahle said. “We’re thankful to the previous administration. They had the forward thinking to take a conversation like that, which has been happening for roughly 20 years, and make it happen.”
“The city provides water to 13 other municipalities or rural water systems,” Mahle continued. “It’s really important, not just to Centralia residents but the region as a whole, that we are using the most up-to-date processes and ensuring the best quality of water.”
Mahle and Jackson said that there is no shortage of projects to work on regarding progress, and that they have been happy to roll up their sleeves and help move it forward.
“This is an exciting time,” said the city manager. “It’s going to be a lot of work, but we’re not afraid of that. We know these big projects, when done right, will produce the best results.”
“Everything we do that makes the community better benefits everyone,” Mahle continued. “A better Centralia is better for all of us. That’s the message, and that’s why I’m here and why I hope I get to do this for a very long time.”
