Hey Locals, 

Utilities, energy, and affordability have been hot topics in the news lately. But what do all of these developments mean for your budget and services in Fort Wayne? In this week’s Above the Fold, we’re breaking down what practical information residents like you should know about changes happening at the federal, state, and local levels.

In Briefs, we fill you in on how you can share input about the future of Downtown Fort Wayne in an interesting new survey. We also answer a reader’s question about potential changes coming to local Head Start early education programs, as a result of federal decision-making. Plus, why the city is annexing Sweetwater’s campus and more.

In our To Do List, we have lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, from free art festivals to live music, picnics, and more.

We also have a new deal for paid subscribers in August!

This month: We’re partnering with Amoré Italian Steak & Seafood to bring a special deal to all paid subscribers: $15 off a $40 purchase. Learn more about what’s next for the Downtown eatery and its events this week in our Local Spotlight.

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Now, let’s get started.

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

Utilities, energy + affordability:

What to know about changes likely to affect your budget + essential services.

What’s happening?

In recent weeks and months, several major stories have been breaking related to utilities, energy, and affordability in Fort Wayne. This week, we’re breaking down what practical information residents like you should know about these developments – likely to affect your budget and essential services.

Three stories we’re watching are:

1. Fort Wayne City Utilities and Aqua Indiana are sparring over a proposed rate hike. According to WANE 15, City Utilities filed a petition in June regarding concerns that Aqua Indiana’s rate increase might be funding “unreasonable profits” for the company and/or projects in other places. “Fort Wayne-area ratepayers should not be expected to help offset costs outside their own community,” City Utilities Director Jumar Menon told WANE.
2. The state’s gas tax suspension ends later this week on Aug. 6. This means Hoosiers will likely see increased gas prices soon. The state also transferred funds to local governments to offset lost revenue due to the tax suspension.

• The Indiana Utility Regulator Commission (IURC) concluded its statewide listening tour with an affordability report that has recommendations for lawmakers and regulators. The IURC has also been in the midst of leadership turmoil, with Gov. Braun removing Chairman Andy Zay and replacing him with IURC Commissioner Anthony Swinger. 

In our Thursday newsletter – for paid subscribers only – we’ll break down how these stories and more relate to services and affordability in Fort Wayne.

• The City is seeking public input on the next 10 years of development in Downtown Fort Wayne. Last week, the City shared a link to its Engage website, where you can learn more about the project and take a survey, including an interactive map where you can drop pins and “share your perspective on what’s working and what needs attention.” The current Downtown plan was adopted in 2003 and has led to more than $1 billion of investment, from Parkview Field to Promenade Park and more. The estimated completion date for the new plan is April 2027, when it will be presented to the Fort Wayne Plan Commission and City Council, 89.1 WBOI reports. Later this month, the City will be hosting two public engagement sessions you won’t want to miss. (We’ll fill you in on the details in a future newsletter). So…what are your thoughts about Downtown? Hit reply to this email to let us know, and stay tuned for more in coming weeks!
• A reader of The Local informed us that federal decisions might affect Fort Wayne’s Head Start early education programs. Yesterday, the AP reported: “President Donald Trump’s administration is planning a dramatic overhaul of Head Start that would gut its quality standards.” Head Start program serve underprivileged children and families in all 50 states and have long enjoyed bipartisan support, but are now being targeted by lawmakers who say the federal government should “get out of the education business at every level.” Fort Wayne’s Head Start program is operated by Brightpoint, where President and CEO Steve Hoffman tells us his team thinks the changes are still “very early” in the process. “These kind of things are ‘proposed’ all the time, and we take them with a grain of salt until it becomes official,” he says. “I would say that, overall, we are not desiring changes to Head Start quality standards. What we have to adhere to are very high standards – in most cases, higher than state licensing, but that creates, in the end, a truly excellent and impactful program. And that’s not just for us, but all across the country. While there are always examples of helpful ways to deregulate government funding, Head Start does not need fixing; it is one of the very best programs the government funds.” Last year, Brightpoint’s Head Start program in Fort Wayne (August 25 – June 26) served 866 children and families. “In the last 60 years, we have served over 50,000 children and their families,” Hoffman says.
• In light of Sweetwater’s 170,000-sq-ft warehouse expansion, City Council voted last week to bring 90 acres of its property into city limits – a move expected to “generate millions of tax dollars.” For a quick refresher, this is an example of annexation, which refers to the city expanding its boundaries to increase size and tax revenues in exchange for providing city benefits, like police, fire, utilities, and road improvements. Some of the planned improvements for the Sweetwater area include big changes to US-30 and public infrastructure, which will utilize a TIF district, meaning: “the money generated in taxes from the increase in the property’s value will be redirected into making those necessary road changes.” WANE 15 notes: “70% of the TIF money would go toward reimbursing the improvements made in the US 30 corridor, while the other 30% would go to taxing units as normal.” In addition to tax dollars, Sweetwater’s expansion will create 300 jobs and 75 construction jobs.
• A new lighted (and interactive!) public art display will soon replace the “77 Steps” installation in the alley between 113 and 127 W. Berry St. Downtown. The original display was installed in 2010 and has been damaged by storms to the point it would cost $300K-$500K to fix it, according to the city’s Public Art Commission. Instead, the commission opted to replace it with a new $100K project by New York-based artist James Lucey called “Flow,” which also utilizes light and is made with a special mesh made in New Zealand that can “harness nature instead of fighting it,” The JG* reports. Another new feature: the updated light display will react to pedestrian movement and can be synced with music during events. The Commission hopes to show off this function during a dedication ceremony with a DJ on Aug. 19.
• The City hosted its first annual Opioid Settlement Funds Community Convening last Wednesday. In November 2022, City Council created a mechanism to manage the distribution of about $5.7 million of Indiana’s roughly $507 million award from a settlement between opioid manufacturers and the federal government. So far, the City has distributed two rounds of local funding in November 2025 and March 2026 to support addiction prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and capacity-building programs. The most recent grant application closed July 31, and recipients will be announced in September – with more funds scheduled to be distributed until 2038. Last week’s free meeting was designed to build connections among various people and organizations working to address the region’s opioid crisis, as well as educate them about grant opportunities. So far, projects funded include awareness campaigns and sub-grants to local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, treatment providers, and community coalitions. 
• Lutheran Health Network is beginning work this week on a $4 million project to expand and renovate its Dupont Hospital Birthplace. The project will add two more labor and delivery rooms, as well as new flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and paint in the birth center to modernize the space. The 25-year-old Birthplace broke a record recently with more than 280 births in June, and it will remain open during renovations, which are expected to be complete (ironically) in about nine months.

New deal with Amoré:

$15 off a $40 purchase in August!

What’s happening?

In August, The Local is partnering with Amoré Italian Steak & Seafood to bring all paid subscribers a special deal: $15 off a $40 purchase. Since Amoré opened in the Pearl Arts District in late 2024, General Manager Brandon Pavey says the restaurant has continued to refine its menu based on guest feedback while staying true to its original vision of upscale Italian dining Downtown. “We’ve introduced new seasonal items, expanded our cocktail offerings, and continue to evolve both our food and beverage menus to give guests new reasons to come back while keeping the favorites they already fell in love with.”

Here are a few quick things to know:

• Executive Chef Kyle Mares is a regular shopper at YLNI Farmer’s Market and has a passion for locally sourced ingredients – eggs from Soil Shepherd Farm for their house-made egg pasta, beef and pork from Wood Farms for Bolognese and Lasagna, and produce from The Olde Farmhouse for salads and soups. 
• Some guest favorites include entrees, like Bone in Ribeye, Bolognese, and Lasagna with house-made ricotta. Try appetizers, like house-made focaccia with a Calabrian chili and parmesan dip, and end your meal with a dessert, like house-made gelato, coming in flavors: Olive Oil Sea Salt and Double Chocolate. 
• If you’re visiting for the first time, try pairing one of their steak selections or signature Italian dishes with a handcrafted cocktail or a bottle of wine. 
• Amoré recently introduced Weekday Specials. This includes Martini Mondays for $7 – including favorites, like the Raspberry Lychee, Lisa Lemon Drop, and Espresso Martini. On Tuesdays, kid’s meals are $5, and Wing Wednesdays offer an order of Amoré Sticky Wings and a 16oz Draft Beer for $18. 
• Mark your calendar for Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. to hear live music by local soul pop group Casual Friday as part of the Pearl District Summer Arts Series, presented by Whatzup. Grab a seat on Amoré’s patio, order a drink or dessert, and enjoy the show.

• Celebrate: local art and nature at the 8th annual Bloom Fest on Aug. 8 at Riverside Gardens Park in Leo-Cedarville, just north of Fort Wayne. The free event, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., includes 150+ local artists, artisans, and nature vendors, educational non-profits, live music, food trucks, children's activities, and more.
• Explore: the art of scientific illustration at Science Central’s Natural Histories: 400 Years of Scientific Illustration exhibit, organized by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). It features large-format reproductions of illustrations from the AMNH’s rare book collection. ($12)
• Listen: to jazz house, neo soul, R&B, and hip-hop at Synesthesia at the Abstract on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. with DJ She Cut It. She will be performing every other Thursday night at the venue, promising: “No two nights will sound the same. Come with an open mind, grab a drink, connect with good people, and let the music take you somewhere.”
• Shop: the Downtown Fort Wayne Night Market at Hop River Brewing on Aug. 6, 4-8 p.m., with food, live music, and vendor booths, like Little Scorpion Market. (Free)
• Picnic: at Packard Park with Bravas on Aug. 6, 5-8 p.m. with food trucks and vendor shopping. BYO blanket and folding chair! (Free)
• Lunch: outdoors at O’Sullivan’s Pub, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., where you can see new mural art this week.
• Brunch: at Bittersweet Cafe on The Landing, now offering sandwiches, like Ossian Ham.
• Attend: a cookbook signing with Fort Wayne native and Great American Baking Show winner Martin Sorge at Sunbound Books on Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m., showcasing his new Midwestern cookbook, “Great Bakes.”

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-Your Editor, Kara Hackett

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