Fort Wayne, Ind. – The City of Fort Wayne’s Commercial Façade Grant Program has earned the Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council. The honor was presented at an awards ceremony last week in Philadelphia. Grant Administrator Aliza Tourkow and Redevelopment Assistant Director John Wallace accepted the award.
“Our Façade Grant Program is transforming the commercial corridors in the heart of our community,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “I’m pleased that an international economic development organization sees the value of this program and how it can be replicated in cities across the United States. Congratulations to our Community Development Division for creating and implementing such a successful program that is having a lasting impact on Fort Wayne.”
The City of Fort Wayne’s Commercial Façade Grant Program is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant that provides up to $20,000 to single-tenant buildings and $40,000 to multi-tenant buildings. These grant projects revitalize the exterior of older buildings in the core of the City, transforming them into vibrant commercial gems. Since Mayor Henry kicked off the Commercial Façade Grant program in 2008, 63 façade improvement projects have been completed or are in the process of being completed, generating a private investment of nearly $3 million.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted from November 13 through December 13, 2013; they are available online now at www.cityoffortwayne.org/commercial-programs.html <http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/commercial-programs.html> or by calling 3-1-1. Questions may be directed to Aliza Tourkow at 427-2792 or aliza.tourkow@cityoffortwayne.org.
The International Economic Development Council is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,000 members, it’s the largest organization of its kind. The Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders.
