Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill is retiring after decades of service to his community.
 
His last day will be at the end of December.
 
We talked with him about the challenges he faced as mayor and his accomplishments during his 30 years in office.
 
Residents from Lordstown joined family, and friends in wishing Mayor Arno Hill a happy retirement.
 
Hill has served Lordstown Mayor for 24 years,  and six years on city council.
 
Hill was first elected mayor in1992 through 2003. He was beaten in an election. 
 
He became a council member from 2006 to 2011, and then won the mayor's seat in 2012. 
 
Through the years there have been many challenges including the closing of the GM Lordstown plant in 2019, and the loss of about three million dollars in income tax revenue. 
 
Hill explains a long time ago the woman who helped Lordstown go from a township to a village explained to him that businesses bring in money, and people cost money, so bringing in business helps serve the people. 
 
"I know there are some people who say the mayor only thinks about business. A business pays the resident's bills. It helps keep our rates low, our property taxes low, helps provide all services residents have become accustomed to," said Mayor Hill.
 
"At least we are not struggling to pay for police, fire, ambulance, and other essential services. The reason to go for business is to serve the people," Hill added.
 
Over the years he and the council have helped bring in five billion dollars worth of business to Lordstown, businesses that help fund essential services such as schools, police, fire, and ambulance services.
 
"When the first power plant came one of Tim Ryan's staff called me the billion-dollar mayor. If you turn in the first, and second power plant and Ultium Cell and Metalco and Anderson Dubose and TJX Distribution Center we've had about five billion in investment and they pay the bills," Hill added.
 
Hill emphasizes that this was made possible by working with good council members, the chamber, port authority, local, state, and federal lawmakers, and others over the years.
 
"If we didn't have the businesses here, I don't think people would like the increase in taxes they would need to pay, or decrease in services and difficult choices that many municipalities have had to make," Hill said. 
 
The Mayor tells us he's leaving at a good time when Lordstown has no unencumbered debt financially.
 
"Money is available to repay the 12 million dollar loan for the Eastside sewers," Hill said.
 
The Mayor tells us he is most proud of the relationships he has built.
 
 Hill will continue to live in Lordstown and serve on the Trumbull County Board of Elections.
 
"How many good years do you have? I'll be 71 on the second of January. My wife and I have five daughters and ten grandkids," Maor Hill emphasized.
 
"My advice to the Mayor-elect Jackie Woodward was to come in and take your time, learn how our departments work, and ask a lot of questions. Any questions you have you can call me. She is on the school board.  I believe she will do a good job." Hill said.