Hey Locals,

It’s been a minute since we’ve dropped into your inbox with new news, but here we are – and there’s a lot to catch up on. We’re kicking off 2026 with a look at what Fort Wayne stands to gain (financially) out of its deal for the Google data center. (This is likely to be a hot topic for public comment at City Council tonight.) Details in Above the Fold.

We also brief you on the dawn of Fort Wayne’s expensive era, following years of accolades for affordability. And we fill you in on what to know about a sudden change in the city's police chief.

In our To Do List, we share tips on a new intimate music venue in town, carrying on the tradition of One Lucky Guitar’s popular B-Side shows. Plus, suggestions for your Savor Fort Wayne food deals, starting Jan. 14!

Speaking of food deals... We’ve been slow getting back into the swing of things this month, so let’s plan on our next deal for paid subscribers starting in February, and we’ll make it worth the wait!

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

Show us the money!

Exactly how much is Google contributing to Fort Wayne?

What’s happening?

While there are many possible factors to consider about Fort Wayne’s Google data center, one that’s come to our attention in recent weeks is the project's promises to Fort Wayne in terms of financial benefits and community contributions.

• Why? Following a community forum in December, a reader reached out to us with information, suggesting there’s more to the story about Google’s community contributions than what the tech giant shared in its presentation. 
• Case in point: This reader contacted several organizations Google listed as recipients of its contributions and found some inconsistencies and instances where Google’s support wasn’t going directly to local beneficiaries, but rather to a group's parent organization (located elsewhere). 

So… what exactly has Google promised Fort Wayne, what can we verify, and how does the real deal stack up for the community?

We break it down in our Thursday newsletter for paid subscribers only!

• Rising prices and stagnant wages might be putting Fort Wayne’s affordability (and local businesses) at stake. WANE 15 recently reported that Fort Wayne’s prices (and national inflation) are outpacing local wages. A study examining Allen County data shows median private sector wages have increased only 10% from 2016-2024; meanwhile, grocery prices have skyrocketed 55%. This disparity is not unique to Fort Wayne, but may feel jarring to residents and businesses reliant on the city's “affordability" to support their lifestyles and sales. WANE notes that in December, several local restaurants reported slower-than-usual sales, with some posting for support on social media, like Fortlandia and Chance Bar, while others, like 816 Pint & Slice, closed permanetly.
• Downtown Fort Wayne's commercial district was renewed for another 10 years with expanded boundaries to support Riverfront and Electric Works. The new district includes the Wells Street corridor near Promenade Park and a section of Broadway near Electric Works. After much speculation last year, the Downtown organization earned support from a majority of property owners within its boundaries, securing its funding to offer services for another decade, including public space maintenance, small business support, and marketing efforts. In related news, the City is also seeking proposals for a new Downtown plan for the next 10 years. The previous plan dates to 2003 and has resulted in more than $1B in investment, the City says.
• An abrupt change in FWPD chiefs last week drew attention to communication gaps between the City and City Council. On Thursday, FWPD Chief Scott Caudill resigned abruptly, leaving some members of City Council “in the dark” on the decision and leading to speculation about its cause.* However, the City and Mayor Tucker held a press conference Monday to say there is “no scandal,” and Caudill is taking on a different role within the FWPD focused on policies, procedures and training. During his two-year tenure as chief, Caudill kept “crime down double digits” in Fort Wayne and maintained a 90%+ clearance rate on investigations, though the city experienced several police-involved shootings. Longtime officer P.J. Smith was appointed the new chief. Councilman (and former policeman) Marty Bender tells The JG* Smith has “a great reputation with the neighborhoods and cares about the officers that work with him.”
• There's an impending turnover in county leadership with the retirements of Commissioners Rich Beck and Therese Brown this year. You might remember: Allen County government is led by three commissioners who act as both the legislative and executive branches of the county government. At the end of 2024, Nelson Peters,* a commissioner of 20 years, retired, and was replaced by elect Ron Turpin. Now, his colleagues, Rich Beck, who has served for seven years, and Therese Brown, who has served for 16 years, are also retiring. Their terms end Dec. 31, 2026.
• The city broke ground on The Eddy at Riverfront in late-December, marking “the first major new residential development on the north side of the St. Marys River.” The project is a $45 million mixed-used collaboration between the city and Barrett Realty Investments. It is expected to connect Promenade Park to the previously announced private development at the Schaab Riverfront Plaza, More Brewing Company, and the North River district. “The name for the development comes from an eddy in a river, which is a section of water where the current flows in the opposite direction from the main flow, creating a calm pocket of water,” the City says. The Eddy will have 111 market-rate apartments, a 236-space parking garage (with public access), and about 3,300 square feet of ground-floor retail. The garage is expected to open in 2027 followed by the building in 2028.

Get tickets: for “Songs in the City,” a five-day intimate concert series hosted by Wunderkammer and 89.1 WBOI Jan 21-Feb 27, featuring five singer-songwriters from the South: Peter Bradley Adams, Meaghan Ferrell, Robby Hecht, Amy Speace and Tim Easton. (Tickets are $21 per show.)

Save money: while supporting local businesses with 12 days of dining deals at the annual Savor Fort Wayne Jan. 14-25. Twenty new eateries are participating this year, and one on our list is Colombian Delights (next door to Bravas), serving a lunch menu of arepas, drinks and chips for only $10.

Get inspired: with free admission to three new art exhibitions at ArtLink Contemporary Gallery, through February 8, including: Midwest Regional, Storied, + Postcard Exhibition & Sale.

Thrift: books, DVDs, puzzles and more at the Parks Department’s Community Center Book Sales Jan. 13-15, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at 233 West Main St. Most items are $1 or less, and book donations are also accepted year-round.

Make new friends: by joining the Riverfront Social Runners club on the Strava App. The group is seeking all runners and walkers — no matter your experience level. “Stay connected and up to date on upcoming meetups, fun challenges and Riverfront adventures by following Riverfront Fort Wayne on Strava and social media.”

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett