Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton delivered the annual State of the City Address April 19 at the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

Stanton championed the city's economic progress over the past four years, citing improved relations with Mexico, a new regional trade infrastructure, and the city's efforts to attract tech companies and other businesses focused on innovation.

"Where others faltered, Phoenix chose to lead," Stanton said. "The city council turned the traditional role of a city on its head, taking on new responsibilities and charting the right course for the local economy.  We’re making the investments we need to transform our economy into one rooted in innovation and fueled by exports. And more importantly, we are building an economy that includes everyone, and has real opportunity for everyone."

Stanton said Phoenix has created 8,000 jobs in the first few months of 2016 without counting construction, restaurant, and retail jobs.

Stanton also highlighted the growth of the city's downtown, where he said approximately 3,500 additional residential units are slated for construction.

Overall, Stanton described Phoenix as a robust city in position to chart a course toward a more sustainable footing going forward.

"Not even a decade after the Great Recession shook us to our knees, Phoenix has emerged stronger and more resilient than ever before with an economy that is breaking free from the chains of the boom-then-bust cycle," he said. "Today, our city is stronger than ever before. Through wise investments and by working together, not only have we made our city strong, but we are making our state stronger: Phoenix is leading the way on Arizona’s economic recovery."