Local leaders tout Allen County business, population growth
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAllen County business and government leaders are celebrating a year that brought over $770 million in new private investment to the county as well as population growth.
Over 700 jobs were created, 20 businesses expanded or relocated to the county, and over $42 million was added to the annual payroll, according to Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the region’s chamber. It credited Asher Agency, Bolt Custom Truck, General Motors, Juvare, Kuehnert Milk House, North American Cold Storage and SH America for contributing to these increases.
The county continues to retain and grow its population with a net of 484 new residents in 2022. Net migration to the county has been growing since 2017.
“Fort Wayne and Allen County are on the move and leading the way in providing a positive and inviting business climate to attract and retain companies and employees,” Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said in a news release. “The growth being experienced in our community is a strong indicator that we’re on the right track in being a recognized location to invest in and succeed.”
In January 2022, Greater Fort Wayne and local offices announced the Allen County Together economic development plan, which aims to grow the county’s business ecosystem over the next 10 years.
In pursuit of those goals, the chamber said the county secured $100 million in funding for infrastructure projects, hosted its Economic Development Summit, secured about 700 acres for Project Zodiac and commissioned a study for the 122nd Fighter Wing Indiana National Guard.
The county is also proud of several ongoing projects stemming from $30.5 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI, grants. Those projects include the riverfront revitalization, Park’s Edge Apartments development, Trine University’s Fort Wayne facility, the Lofts at Headwaters development, renovation and expansion of the Arts United Center, the Crossroads housing project and Project Gateway at the Fort Wayne International Airport.
The next round of READI funding will spur new projects and second phases of ongoing developments. New projects are anticipated to include the redevelopment of the former Pepsi site and development of Roosevelt Reserves – Southeast Housing.
“We know Allen County is a great place to work, start a family, and build a business, but the word is getting out,” Allen County Commissioners Rich Beck, Therese Brown, and Nelson Peters said in a joint statement. “All community segments play into this success – our private sector, nonprofits, and the industrious individuals that call Allen County home.”