The public is invited to learn the findings of a study of the local economic impact of Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism during a free presentation October 1, 2025.
News release from the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana:
Study: historic preservation and heritage tourism boost the local economy
Public invited to learn findings of historic preservation study at free eventFort Wayne, Indiana (September 16,2025) – The public is invited to learn the findings of a study of the local economic impact of Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism during a free presentation October 1, 2025, 1:45 p.m. at the Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd.
The report, “Preservation is About the Future: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism in Fort Wayne,” will be presented by Donovan Rypkema of PlaceEconomics, an internationally recognized firm that provides analysis of the economic impacts of historic preservation. The event is part of the Indiana State Historic Preservation conference, “Preserving Historic Places,” taking place September 30 – October 3 in Fort Wayne. Most sessions require a registration to attend, but this event is free and open to the public with no registration required.
Key findings of the study include:
- Investments in historic tax credit rehabilitation projects in Fort Wayne have created an average of 258 jobs and $18 million in labor income each year for the last ten years. On average, that investment has generated $514,797 in local tax revenue annually over the same ten-year period.
- Heritage visitors to Fort Wayne stay longer, visit more places and spend more per day than non-heritage visitors. In 2024, the expenditures of heritage tourists supported the creation of more than 3,000 jobs and $124 million in labor income. Examples of heritage destinations in Fort Wayne include the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center, the Allen County Courthouse, the Arts United Center, the Old Fort and neighborhood historic home tours.
“Fort Wayne’s earliest historic preservation ordinance dates to 1965. It was the first in Indiana,” said Creager Smith, City of Fort Wayne historic preservation planner. “Our City began Historic Preservation efforts 60 years ago, with a commitment to our future selves to retain our historic identity. Fort Wayne has well over 20 historic neighborhoods, and is the home of the Genealogy Center, one of the largest geneaology libraries in the country. This study confirms that continuing to invest in our future, while maintaining our past, is a wise investment!”
Doors to the Embassy will open at 1:30 p.m. Rypkema’s presentation will follow welcome remarks from Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker, a welcome from Logan York, tribal historic preservation officer of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, and Randy Harter, a local historian and author who will speak about the history of the Embassy Theatre.
The Historic Preservation and Heritage Tourism study was made possible by funding from the City of Fort Wayne, the Efroymson Family Fund, the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center and Visit Fort Wayne.
Visit Fort Wayne Neighborhoods on Facebook to learn more and share the event with others. Click here to learn more about the conference or to register for other sessions.
The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division works to enhance economic opportunity, build strong neighborhoods and ensure a dynamic framework for growth and development. The Division’s departments include Neighborhood Code Compliance, Neighborhoods, Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services, Redevelopment/Economic Development, and Planning and Policy. Visit CityofFortWayne.in.gov/CD for more information.
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