The board of directors of the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne has approved a $120,000 grant to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, Inc. as seed funding to launch an online storytelling & news platform. The Alliance is a 501(c)3 and supporting organization of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. The project is a partnership with Issue Media group, and will be modeled after successful and sustainable Issue Media Group initiatives in other US cities such as Denver, CO and Buffalo, NY.
The initiative consists of an online news magazine and content platform that will focus editorial attention on highlighting the people, projects, places, and community assets that cultivate Fort Wayne’s sense of self and build local engagement. Ultimately, the initiative is intended to improve Fort Wayne’s economic and quality-of-life attractiveness by increasing our regional ability to attract and retain talent.
The web platform will be supported by a coalition of 8-10 community-based stakeholders and business partners all actively working to attract talent while creating more vibrant places in Fort Wayne. Each of the partners will serve as the foundation for a local advisory group, informing editorial direction, and providing insights on new and upcoming projects.
The seed funding for the project was provided by a $120,000 grant from the Salinger Family Fund, held at the Community Foundation. The fund was created in 1996 by Ellinor Salinger Forland and Gerhard Salinger in honor of their mother, community activist and 60 year resident of Fort Wayne, Charlotte Salinger.
In a joint statement, Ellinor and Gerhard said, “We believe this initiative will be an aggregated showcase for what is going on culturally, civically, business-wise and artistically as well as a general picture of life in the community. The online storytelling and news platform will be a useful tool for presenting a picture of life in Fort Wayne that both engages current residents, as well as helps to attract new business and workers.”
“We’re building a nationally recognized economy here in Allen County,” said Eric Doden, CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “Highlighting the momentum we see in our neighborhoods, our entrepreneurs, our arts scene, and all the other aspects of our community will promote civic pride and help grow jobs, wages, and the economy.”
Greater Fort Wayne Inc. is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Fort Wayne and Allen County. GFW Inc. focuses on supporting local businesses, attracting new businesses, and improving the community’s quality of place to grow jobs, wages, and the economy.
Issue Media Group is an award winning media agency that has launched and sustained successful talent/media platforms in 20+ US Cities. It will provide expertise, technology, editorial standards, audience development, and national audience reach to amplify the narrative of Fort Wayne transformation.
