{"id":127875,"date":"2025-12-02T12:07:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T17:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=127875"},"modified":"2025-12-06T15:16:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T20:16:19","slug":"applications-open-for-2026-fort-ify-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2025\/12\/02\/applications-open-for-2026-fort-ify-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Applications open for 2026 FORT-ify Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CityofFortWayne_seal-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-115912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CityofFortWayne_seal-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CityofFortWayne_seal-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CityofFortWayne_seal-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/CityofFortWayne_seal.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Applications are now open for the City of Fort Wayne\u2019s 2026 cohort of the award-winning FORT-ify Neighborhood Accelerator.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>City of Fort Wayne Indiana news release:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Applications now open for 2026 FORT-ify Neighborhood Leadership Accelerator Program<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fort Wayne, Indiana (December 2, 2025) \u2013 Applications are now open for the City of Fort Wayne\u2019s 2026 cohort of the award-winning FORT-ify Neighborhood Accelerator. This leadership program supports new, re-launching, and developing neighborhood associations, helping them strengthen their communities and create positive change.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.cityoffortwayne.org\/Fortify\" target=\"_blank\">Information and applications are available here<\/a>. Applications are due January 31, 2026, before midnight. Neighborhood associations that are registered with the City are eligible to apply; two neighborhoods will be selected.<\/p>\n<p>Participants in the 2026 cohort will:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Create a customized Quick Action Plan (QAP) for their neighborhood.<\/li>\n<li>Be eligible for over $5,500 in project funding to support the plan.<\/li>\n<li>Receive coaching and resources to implement neighborhood projects.<\/li>\n<li>Work with professional graphic artists to develop a new neighborhood logo and brand.<\/li>\n<li>Have access to monthly workshops and coaching sessions about topics such as governance, civic engagement and fundraising.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Residents can learn more about the FORT-ify program at any of the following information sessions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Facebook Live: December 9, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., @FWNeighborhoods on Facebook.<\/li>\n<li>In-person Wednesday, January 7, 2026, noon\u20131:30 p.m. at the ACPL Main Branch, 900 Library Plaza, lunch provided.<\/li>\n<li>In-person Thursday, January 8, 5:30 PM\u20137:00 PM at the ACPL Main Branch, 900 Library Plaza, dinner provided.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cThe big idea here is to provide neighborhoods with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their goals,\u201d says program manager and neighborhood planner R\u00e9na Bradley. \u201cWhether it\u2019s creating safer streets or hosting events, we want to help them build on their assets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Past FORT-ify participant Melody White stated \u201cThis experience has been and continues to be one of the most encouraging and educational programs I\u2019ve been a part of in my hometown. You have truly helped our group realize the intentionality and compassion of Fort Wayne leadership, the breadth of assistance available to those craving to serve, and our role in creating the world we live in.<\/p>\n<p>For additional assistance or inquiries about completing the FORT-ify Neighborhood Accelerator program application, contact Bradley at rena.bradley@cityoffortwayne.org or 260-427-2284.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>The City of Fort Wayne\u2019s Community Development Division works to enhance economic opportunity, build strong neighborhoods and ensure a dynamic framework for growth and development. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov\/186\/Community-Development\" target=\"_blank\">Click here for more information<\/a><\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Related Images:<\/h3><div class=\"ngg-related-gallery\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71709.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces call for referendum vote on the gaming issue during a press conference on February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"199\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71709.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71709.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces call for referendum vote on the gaming issue during a press conference on February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"199\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71709.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71710.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss after the press conference announcing his decision to seek a referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"200\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71710.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71710.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss after the press conference announcing his decision to seek a referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Mayor Tom Henry shakes hands with Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"200\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71710.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71712.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Smith makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"201\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71712.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71712.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Smith\" data-description=\"Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Smith makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Smith\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Smith\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"201\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71712.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71714.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Councilman Tim Pape makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"202\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71714.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71714.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Councilman Tim Pape\" data-description=\"City Councilman Tim Pape makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Councilman Tim Pape\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Fort Wayne City Councilman Tim Pape\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"202\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71714.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71715.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Allen County Councilman Paul Moss makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"203\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71715.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71715.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\" data-description=\"Allen County Councilman Paul Moss makes a brief comment during the Mayor&#039;s press conference calling for referendum vote on the gaming issue.  Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Allen County Councilman Paul Moss\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"203\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71715.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71717.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Former City Councilman Dr. John Crawford and son Grant attended the press conference in which Mayor Henry called for a referendum vote on the gaming issue. Photo taken February 27, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"204\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/71717.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71717.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/02\/27: Dr. John Crawford and son Grant\" data-description=\"Former City Councilman Dr. John Crawford and son Grant attended the press conference in which Mayor Henry called for a referendum vote on the gaming issue. Photo taken February 27, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/02\/27: Dr. John Crawford and son Grant\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/02\/27: Dr. John Crawford and son Grant\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"204\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_71717.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85078.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming. Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background. Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"1693\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85078.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85078.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming. Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background. Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1693\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85078.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85080.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is on the left and City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner is on the right.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"1694\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85080.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85080.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is on the left and City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner is on the right.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1694\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85080.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85088.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"1695\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85088.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85088.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry addresses the press about the City&#039;s hiring of lobbyists to promote a referendum vote on gaming.  Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell is in the background.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1695\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85088.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85091.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell answers questions from the press. Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"1696\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85091.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85091.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell\" data-description=\"Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell answers questions from the press. Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1696\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85091.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85094.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner answers a question from the press.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"1697\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85094.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85094.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner\" data-description=\"City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner answers a question from the press.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: City Corporate Counsel Tim Haffner\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1697\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85094.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85095.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell answers questions from the press.  Tim Haffner is on the right.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"1698\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/85095.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85095.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/05\/01: Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell\" data-description=\"Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell answers questions from the press.  Tim Haffner is on the right.  Photo taken May 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/05\/01: Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/05\/01: Deputy Mayor Greg Purcell\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1698\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_85095.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/harrison_street_explored.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Illustration from the Harrison Street Explored invitation. Courtesy image.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"1716\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/harrison_street_explored.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_harrison_street_explored.jpg\" data-title=\"Harrison Street Explored Illustration\" data-description=\"Illustration from the Harrison Street Explored invitation. Courtesy image.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"Harrison Street Explored Illustration\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"Harrison Street Explored Illustration\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"1716\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_harrison_street_explored.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92352.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces the City won&#039;t renew the Light Lease with Indiana Michigan Power. Photo taken June 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"2011\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92352.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92352.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/06\/02: Mayor Tom Henry\" data-description=\"Mayor Tom Henry announces the City won&#039;t renew the Light Lease with Indiana Michigan Power. Photo taken June 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/06\/02: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/06\/02: Mayor Tom Henry\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2011\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92352.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92359.jpg\"\n\t\t\ttitle=\"City Utilities Director Kumar Menon answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\"\n\t\t\tclass='thickbox' rel='49aad1f02d66a5e2c296a7cd788f372b' data-image-id=\"2013\" data-src=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/92359.jpg\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92359.jpg\" data-title=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\" data-description=\"City Utilities Director Kumar Menon answers questions from the press during the Light Lease press conference on June 1, 2009.\">\n\t\t\t<img title=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"2009\/06\/02: Kumar Menon\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-image-id=\"2013\"\n\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/gallery\/cityoffw\/thumbs\/thumbs_92359.jpg\"\/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Applications are now open for the City of Fort Wayne\u2019s 2026 cohort of the award-winning FORT-ify Neighborhood Accelerator.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":115912,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[94,5245],"tags":[31002,21584,23,40237,40236,37382,17417],"class_list":["post-127875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city-of-fort-wayne-news","category-fort-wayne-community-development","tag-city-of-fort-wayne-fort-ify-neighborhood-accelerator-program","tag-city-of-fort-wayne-indiana","tag-fort-wayne-indiana","tag-melody-white","tag-neighborhood-associations","tag-neighborhood-fort-ify","tag-rena-bradley"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Applications open for 2026 FORT-ify Program - AroundFortWayne<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Applications are now open for the City of Fort 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