The City of Fort Wayne partners with a number of affiliate organizations in order to improve our community's local economy and quality of life. Below is a list of these organizations along with a brief description. To visit their websites, simply click on each organization's logo or icon.

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership is an economic development team serving as a single point of contact to businesses interested in locating to the 10-county region. The Partnership operates on the principle that to create business investment in the region, it must not only generate business leads, but also develop the product that is Northeast Indiana and work on the effectiveness of what we call the regional team—strategic partners who collaborate to better the region.

The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (The NIIC) helps entrepreneurs launch and businesses grow. The Innovation Center is the country's only ISO9001:2008 registered business incubation acceleration program, serving entrepreneurs, business owners and existing business owners who want to launch, expand or re-invent a company. We are host to the Women's Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center (WEOC), one of tow U.S. SBA designatted Women's Business Centers in Indiana. Innovation takes courage, and the NIIC honors entrepreneurs by taking them seriousy and assessing their innovation and business concepts professionally. The NIIC was recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as one of hte top four under-the-radar incuabors in the country. In the magazine's words, The NIIC stands out in a state not always perceived as small business friendly.

 

The Community Development Corporation of Northeast Indiana (CDC) is a City of Fort Wayne sponsored 501 c (6) not for profit business development organization. Their primary objective is to promote the growth and development of small commercial and industrial for profit businesses in Indiana through creative loan programs. Since their inception in 1978, they have loaned over 52 million dollars to small businesses with an additional 131 million of private funds contributed to those projects and have helped create or retain over 4000 jobs.

The Fort Wayne Urban Enterprise Association debuted in 1984 with a revitalization plan to breathe new life and energy into the Fort Wayne's industrial core. The UEA is a small business incubator which can provide manufacturing, research and development, and office space. The Center can house several tenants concurrently in its 50,000 square feet facility in spaces ranging in size from 100 to 6,500 square foot. Because it is in the Fort Wayne Enterprise Zone, the Center offers its tenants access to tax credits and other business incentives. Start-up  businesses are able to grow and thrive in the Center because service costs are shared among companies.

 

The Greater Fort Wayne Inc. – Economic Development's goal is to further the base employment of Allen County through business retention, expansion and attraction projects. They work together with local, regional and state economic development partners to ensure that our community provides everything growing companies are looking for.

 

 

Greater Fort Wayne Inc. – Member Services represents the voice of business development for Fort Wayne, Allen County and Northeast Indiana. Their mission is to serve as the primary advocate for commerce and business within the Greater Northeast Indiana region by providing solutions and services for business that ensure our members have what they need to flourish.

 

Visit Fort Wayne is the official convention and visitors bureau for Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana. It is the not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to expand Fort Wayne's economy by attracting convention and leisure visitors. The Visitors Center serves as a "front door" for our community, welcoming guests and offering visitor guides, maps, directions, event listings, and more.

The Downtown Improvement District (DID) is an Economic Improvement District established under State of Indiana statute. Their services improve the business climate of the district and allow owners of non-residential real property to more easily assess their own economic potential. The Downtown Improvement District's mission is to enhance the image of downtown Fort Wayne for the social and economic benefit of our community by providing special events to promote the downtown Fort Wayne area; providing enhanced beautification, cleaning and security to complement the downtown's wide range of services; and working cooperatively with local government to augment municipal services.

The ISBDC was created to have a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of small businesses in Indiana, and to develop a strong entrepreneurial community. The ISBDC creates a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of Indiana's small businesses by providing entrepreneurs expert guidance and a comprehensive network of resources.