Fort Wayne, Ind. (April 14, 2010) — The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance has announced that it is hosting an awards banquet honoring business growth in Allen County. The "Swagger" Awards will be held Thursday, April 15 at 11:30 A.M. at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Melissa Long, of Indiana's News Center, will emcee the event.
"We wanted to find a special way to honor businesses that are generating significant investment and jobs for our community, particularly in this challenging economy," said Andi Udris, Alliance president. "The Swagger Awards will give us the opportunity to recognize these companies who are helping Fort Wayne-Allen County regain not only our economic footing, but are also helping to create a new vibrancy and excitement for our area."
The awards will honor companies in six categories: Business Expansion – which honors businesses that added new employees and invested in real estate or equipment; Small Business – recognizes a company with under 50 employees that has made a substantial investment in themselves and the community; Redevelopment – given to a business that has significantly reinvested in themselves, New Business – honors a company that is just beginning operations in Allen County; Sustainer – given to a company that has continued to reinvest and thrive in our area for more than 15 years and, Downtown Development – which recognizes a business that has chosen to move to or revitalize a building in the downtown area. A special "Community Spirit Award" will also be given to a Fort Wayne citizen that exemplifies the commitment to making Fort Wayne-Allen County a thriving community by being a strong advocate for economic development. This award will be the first of its kind in Fort Wayne.
Entertainment will be provided during lunch by the IPFW Jazz Ensemble and Mayor Tom Henry and Commissioner Nelson Peters will be on hand to give opening remarks and assist in handing out awards.
"Fort Wayne is an all-American community that understands what it takes to be a world-class competitor,” stated Mayor Tom Henry. “The Swagger Award recipients epitomize that spirit. It is a pleasure to salute these companies for their innovation and commitment to excellence, especially in these tough times. Through their significant investments and job creation efforts, they are strengthening our economy and sending a powerful signal that this is a great place to do business. We applaud their success.”
"It is important to acknowledge the businesses that have contributed to both the economy and the spirit of our community," said Nelson Peters, Allen County Commissioner. "These awards are a celebration of the good news and the positive effects resulting from the growth of these businesses in Allen County."
The Swagger Awards are being sponsored by Baker and Daniels, Business People Magazine, The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, STAR Financial Bank, American Electric Power, Design Collaborative, NIPSCO and Hamil, Lehman & England, PC.
About the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance is an organization that furthers the base employment of Allen County. It is supported by Allen County, the City of Fort Wayne, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. For more information on the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, visit www.theallianceonline.com.