Invest in the Community in a Big Way

Invest that federal rebate check into Fort Wayne and you'll give back in a big way.

According to estimates made by the Community Research Institute at IPFW the federal economic stimulus checks (which started going out this week) will put $110 million dollars of new money into the hands of Allen County residents.

Assuming that money is spent here through local businesses then an additional $33 million would be generated in economic impact to create a total of $143 million dollars according to the Indiana Business Research Center.

While the assumption that 100% of the rebate dollars will be spent locally is a stretch, it just goes to show that local spending will certainly have a meaningful impact on the economy of Northeast Indiana.

Airport Celebrates Start of New Northwest Airlines Non-Stop Service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Fort Wayne

On Monday, May 5 authorities at Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) will inaugurate the start of Northwest Airlines’ new daily non-stop service between the Minneapolis/St. Paul hub and Fort Wayne. The event will begin at 6 a.m. in front of the Northwest ticket counter at FWA. The first flight will take off at 7:20 a.m.

CANstruction sees 60% increase in food donations!

The recent CANstruction event at Glenbrook Square yielded 68,284 pounds of food (a 63% increase over last year!) for the Community Harvest Food Bank plus over $3,000 in cash donations!

Here are the winners for Canstruction ’08 – “Hunger…No Laughing Matter”

People’s Choice – Northrop High School
Most Cans in Structure – Northrop High (7,521 cans)
Structural Ingenuity – Woodlan Jr/Sr High
Best Meal – Snider High School
Best Theme – North Side High School
Juror’s Favorite – Carroll High School
Best Use of Labels – Homestead High School
Honorable Mention – Bishop Dwenger High School
Honorable Mention – Heritage High School
Total Cans Collected – 83,529 (last year 47,641)

Congratulations to all the participants!

May is National Historic Preservation Month in Fort Wayne

Mayor Tom Henry has recognized May as National Historic Preservation Month in Fort Wayne.

Several Chamber members are hosting events and activities throughout the month. A brochure highlighting these activities may be found on the newly updated Historic Preservation pages on the City’s website.

On Saturday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the History Center will host the Chief Richardville House Tour and Miami Indian Heritage Day at 5705 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. Tours will be offered of the 1827 Richardville House. It was built for the civil chief of the Miami Nation and it is the oldest house in Northeast Indiana. Also enjoy the Painted Turtle Drummers and Miami Indian demonstrators and artisans. Adults, $7; Students and Seniors, $5; Age 5 and under free. Call 426-2882 for details.

On Tuesday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m., in the 1200 block of Illsley Drive, the Mayor will help unveil a new Historic Marker that interprets the significance of the Illsley Place Neighborhood. The marker was funded in part by the City’s Civic Pride program. Illsley Place was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2006 as a portion of the Illsley-West Rudisill Historic District.

For more information call 427-1127, or visit www.cityoffortwayne.org/preservation.

Granite City Member Appreciation Party

For all Chamber members that attended the Granite City Food & Brewery ribbon cutting: join Granite City for their first Mug Club Member Appreciation Party.

The festivities will take place on Tuesday, May 13th from 5-8pm on the Granite City patio. This Party is FREE to all card holders!!

If you aren't a mug club member yet - it's not too late to join. Have a friend that is not yet a member? Bring them with you and they will receive their lifetime Mug Club membership for only $20!

The night will include:
Chance to win fantastic door prizes
Brewery Tours
Music & FUN!

For more information please call (260) 471-3030

Feet on the Street

By Teresa Royer, Member Relations Specialist

I stopped in to MSKTD the other day hoping to catch Mark Joseph and was impressed with their beautiful lobby. What is most impressive is the all-glass wall with glass doors on either side to enter the building. As you leave the lobby, on the right side etched in the glass are wonderful quotes / statements all about the importance of the customer.

I, being a fan of quotes, read each and every one of them and asked the receptionist if I was free to copy them. She not only said yes, but made me a copy of them. Here’s a few I'd like to share with you:

Because the customer has a need, we have a job to do.
Because the customer has a choice, we must be the better choice.
Because the customer has sensibilities, we must be considerate.
Because the customer has influence, we have the hope of more customers.
Because of the customer, we exist!

You definitely leave their office thinking they value the customer………..

Reception Honoring New Chamber and DID Leaders

You are invited to a joint reception on Wednesday, May 21 as the community welcomes Kristine Foate, President/CEO of the Chamber and Rich Davis, President of the Downtown Improvement District (DID).

The reception to honor the new distinguished city leaders will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Atrium at the Hilton dowtown. Thank you to Barrett & McNagny for sponsoring this special event.

To RSVP or for more information please contact Christy Drake at the Chamber (260) 424-1435 ext. 266 or cdrake@fwchamber.org.

Let the Savings Begin!

Do you want savings? Chamber Members can now save up to 60% off catalog prices through Office Depot's Chamber Advantage Program. Members can also save 20% off their printing needs with their Design Print and Ship Department.

Can this deal get any better? Yes it can! With any order over $150, you can start earning rebates. Office Depot sells more than just office supplies as well with the latest in technology, furniture and even coffee supplies. This program is free for members with no obligation, minimal spend or monthly fees.

For more information or to sign up, contact Chris Michaels at (260) 249-3977.

Mayor's Night Out

Following up to his popular Mayor’s Night In, Mayor Tom Henry will host his first Mayor’s Night Out May 12 at Jefferson Pointe.

The opportunity for the public to meet the Mayor and members of his staff will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Pointe food court.

Fort Wayne residents can call the Mayor’s Public Information Office at 427-1120 to schedule a 10-minute block of time that evening to meet with the Mayor and key staff members. Times will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Although walk-ins are welcome, appointments will ensure time with the Mayor.

Study Outlines Economic Impact of Fort Wayne Home Building

A National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) impact study shows Fort Wayne's home building industry creates income and jobs for the state and additional revenue for local governments.

The research indicates every 100 single-family and eight multi-family homes built in Allen County last year will generate $10.3 million in revenue, compared to $8.9 million in costs over the next 15 years.

Click here for the full story

New Members Share Exciting News

We had a great time at our New Member Breakfast this morning and welcomed many new members to the Chamber. Several members had interesting business news they shared that sets them apart.

Anytime Fitness has opened up at 2886 E. Dupont Road at I-69 and Dupont Road. They are the only fitness center in the area with 24-7 club access! Check them out at http://www.anytimefitness.com/

Also, the Allen County Council on Aging shared that May is Older American Month. On May 14 they will celebrate the seniors of our community with a special luncheon. Mayor Henry will read a proclamation and Ben Giaquinta will be honored as an outstanding senior in our community. For more information or to RSVP please call Donna Cusick at (260) 426-0060.

Welcome to all our new members!

New Communications Intern Joins Chamber Team

Khrista Beckmann has joined the Chamber as the Communications Intern. Khrista is a Junior at Taylor University Fort Wayne.

Before coming to the Chamber she had interned at Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert Ohio as their Marketing Intern. She has also worked on the following campaigns: Allen County Right to Life Billboard Campaign, Taylor University Online, and Panhurst Farms Marrakech Morocco. She currently sets on the Student Government at Taylor as the Vic President of Student Relations.

"We are so delighted to have someone with Khrista’s experience and talents join our team. Khrista brings a wealth of experience to the Chamber and will have a direct impact on our communications efforts," said Nicole Wilkins, Communications Manager.

Beckmann was born in Lima, Ohio and graduated from Temple Christian High School in 2005. She will be graduating from Taylor University Fort Wayne in May of 2009 with her B.A. in Professional Writing and her B.S. in Marketing Communication.

Welcome Khrista!