By Nicky Smith, Candidate for Greensboro City Council, District 4
March 25, 2025
Last week, Greensboro leaders took the stage to highlight what they called our “Pathway to Progress.” From new pickleball courts to the Tanger Center’s upcoming season and the launch of our city’s hockey team, we saw a presentation full of excitement, pride, and polish. As a lifelong resident, I share in that pride—but as a business owner and candidate for City Council, I also believe our city deserves leadership that focuses on real progress, not just selective storytelling.
Yes, there are undeniable wins to celebrate—major investments from IQE and Syngenta are welcome boosts to our local economy. But as a candidate who speaks daily with small business owners, working families, and community advocates, I can tell you what wasn’t said matters just as much.
The success of Greensboro must be shared by all its residents—not just those fortunate enough to be near new entertainment venues or job sites. Leaving out places like the International Civil Rights Center & Museum and historically Black neighborhoods like Benbow Park, which was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, is more than an oversight. It’s a signal that whole parts of our community are still being left behind.
I’m running for Greensboro City Council because we need experienced leadership that’s focused on bringing everyone along.
As a local business leader myself, I understand what it takes to build, grow, and sustain a business in this city. I also know what holds people back. Too often, it’s the same things: red tape in the permitting process, lack of affordable housing for workers, and rising crime rates that make entrepreneurs think twice before planting roots in Greensboro.
I will fight for:
Streamlined permitting and planning processes so new and existing businesses don’t get caught in bureaucracy.
Investment in workforce development and technical training to ensure the jobs we attract are accessible to our residents.
Incentives for local and minority-owned businesses, especially in historically underinvested areas.
Smart, diverse housing development to make sure workers can live close to where they work, across all income levels.
Public safety is economic development. Business owners tell me time and time again that they’re hesitant to open new locations or stay open later due to crime concerns. While I commend our police department for a strong hiring year, we need more than hiring numbers—we need accountability, community policing, and effective prevention strategies.
That means:
Supporting community-based safety programs that address root causes.
Expanding re-entry support for formerly incarcerated residents to reduce recidivism.
Collaborating with schools and youth organizations to invest in early intervention and mentoring programs.
Finally, progress requires listening—not just to statistics and speeches, but to real people in every neighborhood. Leadership should be about serving, not showcasing. It means acknowledging our successes, yes—but also facing our shortcomings head-on with courage and compassion.
The current mayor has announced she’s stepping down, and I thank her for her service. But as Greensboro turns a corner, we need leaders who bring fresh perspective, proven experience, and the commitment to serve everyone—not just those in the spotlight.
I’m Nicky Smith, and I’m ready to get to work for you. Let’s build a Greensboro that works for all of us—where businesses thrive, neighborhoods are safe, and no one is left out of our city’s story.
Watch this year’s State of the City Address on the city’s YouTube page here.
Let’s build the future our city deserves. Greensboro is ready for a new era—let’s get to work.
Donate today, and let’s choose Greensboro’s future. Together, we can ensure that our city thrives for generations to come. Your voice matters—your vote matters—your support matters. Let’s make it count.
– Nicky Smith
Candidate for Greensboro City Council, District 4
