2022 was another landmark year in Fort Wayne.

As this year ends, we wanted to take a moment to showcase some of the impactful projects, programs and initiatives that helped move Fort Wayne forward. These projects could not have happened without the commitment and collaboration between the City Fort Wayne, residents, neighborhood leaders, non-profits, businesses, and community organizations.

According to data from the CDC, homicide is the leading cause of death among African-American males ages 10-24, nationwide. This means that local communities are faced with the heavy burden of how to prevent violence while struggling to understand why it continues to plague the families that become fractured because of the tragic loss of a loved one. Consequently, everyone in the victim's household is negatively impacted emotionally, socially, and even economically in a never-ending domino effect. There seems to be no simple solution to this crisis, but since its launch in 2016, Mayor Tom Henry’s Fort Wayne UNITED initiative has made headway by convening experts and system leaders of the community in health, education, employment, family, faith and law enforcement.

The growth and momentum being experienced in Fort Wayne are a strong demonstration of collaboration and teamwork. It’s residents, neighborhoods, businesses and local government coming together with a shared vision to make a lasting and meaningful difference.

We recognize that we can’t be the very best community without leadership and a commitment to fiscal management.

Similar to what many individuals and families across our city do on a regular basis, Mayor Tom Henry’s administration constructs a budget that City Council reviews and approves to ensure that essential needs are being met for today and a plan for the future is in place to respond in uncertain times.

Fort Wayne is fortunate to have a growing and thriving trails system. Did you know that the Fort Wayne Area Trails Network consists of nearly 129 miles of trails, with 97.4 miles inside City limits? Most of the trails in City limits are planned, designed, constructed and maintained by the City of Fort Wayne.

Sometimes people get a little confused about the role Fort Wayne Trails has in the trails as compared to the role the City of Fort Wayne has. Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of Fort Wayne Trails is to be a community partner and advocate in the development of a connected, multipurpose system of trails in Allen County, Indiana. Fort Wayne Trails has definitely been a great community partner to the City of Fort Wayne!