Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Growing business in the city
Mayor Henry and Chamber Offer Opportunity for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses to Learn How to Find Resources(October 11, 2010) – Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce officials and local business representatives gathered today at Ottenweller Company to announce an upcoming opportunity for small businesses. The City and Chamber are presenting a Business Services Showcase, Wednesday, October 20, at the Public Safety Academy.
“It can be somewhat intimidating to try to find all of the information about what resources are available to business people in Fort Wayne,” said Mayor Henry, at the Ottenweller Company. “This will be an excellent—and free—opportunity for our local entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn how to access all sorts of programs, services and advice. The City has tried to ‘de-mystify’ what may feel like an overwhelming amount of information.”
Ottenweller Company, a family business established in 1916, is a great example of a local company that has made use of many of the numerous resources available to local employers. Over the years, Ottenweller has successfully utilized local and state incentives such as industrial revenue bonds, tax abatements, and training grants to grow their business. The Showcase will help other companies of various sizes find similar resources.
The morning-long event will feature several panel discussions and resource sessions about issues such as where to seek financial resources to start or to grow a business. Among other topics offered will be information about how to make your business more green and sustainable; incentive programs such as façade grants, tax abatements, brownfield programs and loans; how the city handles problem commercial properties now with the commercial code; and the draft of the new stormwater green standards.
In a statement, County Commissioner Nelson Peters observed that cooperation between Fort Wayne and Allen County on economic issues have already improved the way local businesses operate and that he looks forward to working with the city to make processes even easier for employers and business owners.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Mayor Henry and his staff to ensure Fort Wayne and Allen County are the best place to work, own a business, and grow your business. There are so many opportunities for current and future employers, and together we will continue to improve how we communicate with those who are here, and sell ourselves to potential local employers.”
Organizations like Partners in Contracting Corporation and Women’s Enterprise will be there with information on how they help businesses prepare to do business with the State and Federal government through certification processes and programs like WBE and MBE certification for State government and the Small Business Administration’s HUBzone program. Conexus Indiana will be there to register businesses to access their Indiana Supplier Insight Web portal.
The Business Service Showcase will be held at the Public Safety Academy from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Registration is free, but is requested. Please e-mail Showcase@CityofFortWayne.org to make a reservation or call economic development specialist Elissa McGauley at 427-1127.
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