MAYOR KUDER GIVES 2026 “STATE OF THE CITY” ADDRESS AT CHAMBER LUNCH

Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder presented his annual “State of the City” Address Wednesday, held once again during the Centralia Chamber of Commerce’s March monthly luncheon at Castle Ridge Event Venue.

Before an audience of over 120 city officials, business leaders, organization members, and residents of the Greater Centralia Area, Mayor Kuder presented an update on behalf of the City of Centralia, discussing the municipality’s initiatives and recognizing those who made them possible.

The mayor began his address by acknowledging members of the City administration and those who serve on its boards and commissions.

“These are the city officials for the City of Centralia. We are the ones that do our best to make sure our city goes down the right path,” said Kuder. “I have said time and time again that it is not me. It is them. They are the ones that put in the time, put in the sweat, and get done what the city needs to get done,”

Mayor Kuder discussed the City’s new water treatment plant, which is expected to be open and operating by August 2026. Kuder said the new plant will replace the City’s current water treatment plant which is 101 years old.

“Right after I took office as Mayor, I kept hearing about the water treatment plant. I asked what needed to be done, and that’s where it started…and December of 2024 is when we broke ground,” Kuder recalled. “It’s going to be a 6 million-gallon-a-day production plant. Right now, production is right at 3 million gallons. So, we’re going to double the capacity of water the City can offer.”

Mayor Kuder spoke on the City’s new code enforcement guide which promotes higher standards for properties inside the city limits, noting that a total of 150 building inspections were conducted in 2025, resulting in 270 tickets. Additionally, Kuder said 301 building permits were issued last year, resulting in $15 million in construction for the City of Centralia.'

The mayor praised Kaskaskia College for their major investments in the community and for radically changing the overall perception of obtaining a higher education in Centralia.

“We talk about building our future and our infrastructure, and how we’re wanting to invest in different aspects of our city. What we need to do now is invest in our future,” said Kuder. “Our future is our young adults…when they get done with that high school experience, we have an entity right outside of Centralia that is a gold mine for our city’s future.”

“We have industry here, we have business here, we have banking here, we have healthcare professionals here. Those individuals can get what they need at Kaskaskia College,” Kuder continued. “Those individuals can go and graduate from Kaskaskia College. The City of Centralia, the community and businesses and organizations - we have the opportunity to keep them here.”

Mayor Kuder also mentioned that the City of Centralia having received two awards from the Government Finance Officers Association: Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, issued Jan. 1, 2025, and Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, issued Dec. 31, 2025.

Other topics included the many businesses that invested in the community in 2025, the updated playground equipment at Fairview Park, new additions to Laura Leake Park, local recreation opportunities, achievements and impressive year-end stats of the City’s police and fire departments, the introduction of TASC to assist with individuals in need, the efforts of the Centralia Youth Commission, and more.

In closing, Mayor Kuder wished to thank those in attendance for their time and for their continued effort and investment in the Centralia community.

“I want to thank everybody for taking the time out of their day to come and listen to me, “ Kuder said, concluding the address. “[I want to offer] a heartfelt thank-you for what everybody in this room does. We take pride in Centralia.”

Lunch for the event was catered by Castle Ridge.