Mayor Lauren McLean on Wednesday delivered her inaugural State of the City address, in which she laid out broad goals that will focus on climate change and affordable and low-income housing.

McLean, a former city council president, defeated four-term mayor Dave Bieter in last year’s election, becoming the first woman to serve as Boise mayor.

Flanked by rows of books at a neighborhood library, McLean was optimistic about Boise’s future during the virtual State of the City, which was pre-recorded and posted online Wednesday. Acknowledging the novel coronavirus pandemic that struck months after she took office, McLean said, “Our challenges are many and great, but our community responds.”

McLean said small businesses in particular have been impacted by the pandemic, and she pointed to a city-led economic recovery task force, which this week released a report recommending strategies to help businesses, organizations and residents recovery from the economic downturn. She also highlighted $1.5 million in grant funding the city is offering to small businesses that missed out on federal relief funding.

The mayor reassured residents that the economy remains “strong,” with more businesses contacting the city about relocating to Boise than did last year.

McLean, a Democrat, will continue to focus on policies related to affordable housing and the environment, two key issues of her predecessor.

Last year, the city of Boise set a goal to be carbon-neutral and completely powered by clean energy by 2035. To meet that goal, McLean this year formed a climate action division as well as allocated $320,000 in next year’s budget to hire an energy program manager and fund solar energy planning.

“Boise will be a climate innovation leader, and not just because we want to, but because we must,” McLean said during Wednesday address.

McLean said a new initiative, led by City Council President Elaine Clegg, involves planting 100,000 new trees throughout the city.

Written by the Idaho Press