Harlan deserves an economy that creates real jobs, supports local families, and revitalizes our downtown without losing its character. With an MBA from Harvard Business School and over a decade of hands-on experience, Geoff Marietta has successfully transformed falling-apart historic buildings into thriving small businesses right here in Harlan. As mayor, he will focus on attracting investment, securing state and federal grants, supporting small business growth, and putting underused properties back into productive use. His approach is practical, data-driven, and rooted in what actually works in rural communities.

Immediate Steps:

• Partner with City Council to implement immediate incentive packages to attract new businesses downtown, including utility reductions, targeted property tax relief, and streamlined permitting support.

• Hold owners of vacant and derelict downtown properties accountable through stronger enforcement of cleanup and maintenance standards.

• Ensure privilege and hospitality taxes are enforced fairly and consistently across all businesses, without special treatment or favoritism.

The future of Harlan depends on the opportunities we create for our young people, both in and out of the classroom. As a parent, coach, and former teacher, Geoff knows that kids thrive when they have safe, positive places to gather, learn, and belong—and while Harlan has strong public schools and a respected Boys & Girls Club, we need more public recreation spaces for kids and families.

That means creating and improving parks, playgrounds, ballfields, and community spaces—including updating facilities like our Little League field—so young people have safe, healthy outlets close to home. Geoff has already secured grant funding to support paid youth internships in the region, and he will work to expand after-school and summer programs. As mayor, Geoff will strengthen partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and local businesses to grow opportunities in job skills and internships, athletics and wellness, and arts and entrepreneurship.

Immediate Steps:

• Deliver a new, modern playground at Huff Park designed to serve a broader range of ages and abilities.

• Invest in major upgrades to our Huff Park fields, including new batting cages, improved concessions, and fully renovated restrooms.

• Partner with the County and local business leaders to attract a movie theater, creating a safe, family-friendly entertainment option for young people.

• Launch a paid summer internship program that places local students in city departments to gain real-world experience and job skills.

• Work collaboratively with schools, businesses, libraries, and nonprofit organizations to expand high-quality after-school and summer programs for youth.

Trust in government starts with openness and communication. Geoff is committed to transparent, accessible local government—making city meetings easy to attend, clearly sharing budgets and spending, and explaining how and why decisions are made. Just as importantly, residents deserve timely, reliable information during emergencies, severe weather, and service disruptions.

Transparency also means doing the basics well. A cleaner, better-communicated Harlan is a safer, more welcoming place for residents, visitors, and businesses alike—and a town where people know their voices matter and their government is working for them.

Immediate Steps:

• Livestream City Council meetings and publish agendas in advance, giving residents clear, timely access to local decision-making.

• Launch an official City of Harlan website and Facebook page to share information openly, including city budgets, expenditures, meeting updates, and public notices.

• Invest in modern vehicles, equipment, and tools to ensure city employees—street department, police, and fire—can do their jobs safely, efficiently, and effectively.

• Establish a clear, proactive process for addressing hazardous abandoned properties, unsafe streets and sidewalks, and ongoing public nuisances.