Hey Locals,

It’s another busy week with a public hearing about the Google data center’s surge in diesel generators set for Thursday night. We fill you in on what to know and (attempt to) answer a reader’s questions regarding what’s at stake in this week’s Above the Fold and Thursday email.

We also update you on last week’s report about City Clerk Lana Keelsing’s controversial dual office holding and a political duel that's resulting, as Allen County Republican Chair Steve Shine calls for a Democrat to resign. But there are a few key differences for taxpayers to note. We break it down in a Special Update in today’s newsletter – and an op-ed in today's JG.*

In Briefs, we cover funding losses to local schools and funding solutions for the Southeast Strategy. And in our To Do List, we have more ways to support local food pantries and a few fun holiday items for your calendar.

Don’t forget: In November, we're partnering with Pikoso Burrito Co. at Union Street Market to bring all paid subscribers to The Local 20% off their dinner orders.

Now, let’s get started!

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

Citizens organize to oppose Google data center.

Project seeks to add 5x more diesel generators.

What’s happening?

The public is getting a chance to comment on environmental concerns regarding the Google data center—which has expanded its number of diesel generators on site by nearly five times what was originally approved. What makes these backup generators controversial is that they kick on whenever the city’s power demand is overloaded—not just during blackouts. And it’s unclear how well they will be regulated.

• The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is hosting the public hearing on Nov. 13, 6-9 p.m., at Ivy Tech Northeast Community College Coliseum Campus in the Auditorium (Enter Door #6) at 3800 N. Anthony Blvd.
• A few months ago, IDEM approved a separate controversial request by the data center’s developer to fill about 2.5 wetlands, and no public hearing was held. Now, about 12 citizen groups are organizing to form an “anti-Google coalition,” The JG* reports.

So… what’s the risk to Fort Wayne’s environment (and utility bills)? How does this data center compare to others in the state and country? And what’s being done by local leaders to prevent worst-case scenarios?

We do our best to answer a reader’s questions in Thursday’s newsletter (for paid subscribers only).

What's happening?

Following last week’s report on City Clerk Lana Keesling’s dual office holding, Allen County Republican Party Chair Steve Shine called for the resignation of state legislator Phil GiaQuinta, a Democrat who also works as a customer account manager for Fort Wayne City Utilities. 

However, there are a few key differences between what GiaQuinta and Keesling are doing:

• Keesling is being paid ($100K) to serve Fort Wayne taxpayers while also working full-time as state party chair. GiaQuinta only receives pay ($81K)* for his city work while he is on the clock – not while he is at the state legislature (a part-time position that pays about $32K annually). 
• Keesling’s salary as party chair is not publicly disclosed, but our reporter Rachel Horton determined that she earned about $47K between March 6 - Sept. 18, according to data from 2025-2026 FEC filings by the Indiana State Republican Committee. 
• Keesling will also be eligible for a pension from the City of Fort Wayne if she can keep her position as City Clerk until the end of the year, which is perhaps why she did not resign immediately when she was named party chair in February. 

We break it down in an op-ed published in today's JG.* 

• After City Council’s 2026 budget cuts, Mayor Sharon Tucker’s administration withdrew plans for an $815K welcome sign. Last week, the Mayor announced that the funding will be used for the Southeast Strategy as well as city programs, like A Lot to Love, which help developers use small vacant lots for housing as a way to address the city’s housing shortage and increase the taxbase. However, while Southeast has the most vacant lots citywide, the program is not exclusive to that quadrant, so it’s unclear how much will go to the Southeast Strategy. Councilwoman Rohli Booker says this means there’s still a $1M million gap in funding the strategy, which has raised citizen concerns. Council President Russ Jehl has suggested filling this gap with funding from the sign, as well as the Google land sale, since the land is in Southeast. The Redevelopment Commission has control of about $2M of the $12M land sale profits, which it has used to fund other projects citywide, like riverfront development.
• Despite cuts to the Southeast Strategy, Southeast Fort Wayne is getting upgrades to some streets, thanks to a federal highway grant. Last week, City Engineers received approval from Council for implementing a USDOT Raise Planning Grant (with no local funding required) to study and redesign nine miles of urban corridors leading into Southeast: South Anthony (Oxford to U.S. 27), Paulding, Fairfield and Tillman Rd. The process will take three years and provide opportunities for community engagement and public input. It involves making improvements to the streets for small business, pedestrian activity, transportation and more, paving the way for increased investment and future construction grants to take shape.
• Northwest Allen County Schools (NACS) will remain “woefully underfunded” due to decisions by the state legislature and a lack of support for local funding alternatives. Last week, a narrow 54% of the district’s roughly 7K voters opted against an eight-year operating referendum for the school system, which would have increased the district’s property tax bills by about $500 annually for median residences of $350K. “Referendums are ballot measures that allow schools to raise additional property tax revenue beyond state-imposed limits,” The JG* reports. The referendum would have supported more than 50 new jobs, and NACS leaders say its loss will “take opportunities away” from students. NACS continues to rank last countywide for teacher pay with a starting salary of $47K, compared to a rising $49K at Southwest Allen, and the highest $50K at Fort Wayne Community Schools.
• Downtown Fort Wayne (the organization) received preliminary approval for its 2026 budget from City Council last week without much discussion. Interim President & CEO Bob Walters and COO & Director of Operations Frank Howard brought the budget before council, seeking to re-up their same 2025 budget with $250K for operations. Council gave the budget a 9-0 do-pass recommendation. Downtown Fort Wayne is responsible for promoting, maintaining and supporting 99 blocks of the city center, funded in part by area property owners who pay into it. 
• A recent case is prompting questions about whether homeowners should have to split the cost for sidewalk repairs on their properties. WPTA 21 is investigating a case where a Fort Wayne homeowner with disabilities is raising concerns about the city’s Barrett Law 50/50 Cost Share Program, which allows citizens to request sidewalk repairs and split the cost halfway with the city. The homeowner says his sidewalk has been in disrepair for decades, and the $3,000 needed to fix the issue is unattainable for him. City of Right of Way Director Nick Jarrell says the city can work with homeowners on a case-by-case basis. Learn more on WPTA. 
• The JG editorial board made the case that Indiana’s business- and family-friendly reputation might be hampered by the state’s lack of investment in childcare* for working families. State legislators recently cut reimbursement rates for childcare providers by 35%, froze new vouchers for childcare until at least 2027, and narrowed eligibility for financial assistance – “cost-saving” moves the editorial board claims will “drain talent and productivity” from the state as families seek benefits other places. "In a report released earlier this year, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, along with the U.S. Chamber Foundation and Early Learning Indiana, found the state loses $4.22 billion every year because of inadequate child care,” the Editorial Board writes. “Employers absorb about $3 billion of that in absenteeism and turnover, while another $1.17 billion disappears in lost tax revenue.”
• Fort Wayne Museum of Art (FWMOA) might be expanding, thanks to a large donation for the museum’s Glass Wing. The donation from Dena and Ralph Lowenbach adds 96 pieces to the current 1000+-piece collection. The Glass Wing opened in 2022, featuring 3,000 sq. ft. of space for everything from 1960s studio glass pioneers to modern works. 89.1 WBOI’s Julia Meek spoke with FWMOA President and CEO, Charles Shepard, to learn more about the donation and how it might lead to an expansion.

Schedule: an oil change at McMahon's Best-One, a company (and newsletter subscriber) that’s donating one “most needed” item to local food pantries for every oil change it does now through Nov. 20. 

Honor: Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11 The Fairfield, which is raising awareness and funding for FW22 & VETSports. Events include an Indoor Golf tournament, a Ruck Run, and a Dine to Donate where 10% of food, drink, bowling, and darts sales all day benefit the cause. Live music by Jason Dallich noon-2 p.m. at Pinhouse Social.

Explore: the Parkview Field Holiday Lights, back for a second year (with more displays) as a walk-thru event at the ballpark November 13 - January 3. Check out weekly specials on Tuesdays (discounted concessions), Wednesdays (pet day), and Thursdays (Thirsty Thursday). ($9-$12) 

Get outside: for a guided hike through LC Nature Park’s prairie and woodland trails on Nov. 15, 1:30-3 p.m., including encounters with bison and elk, native plants and more.

Experience: a free German Christkindlmarkt at Park Edelweiss on Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with two stories of booths, including German baked goods and treats, and a lunch of German bratwurst, chips and Gluhwein (hot spiced wine). St. Nikolaus will visit from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for photos.

Shop: the Fort Wayne Village Marketplace on Nov. 14-15 for two days of holiday shopping with more than 100 vendors at PSM Fieldhouse. ($8 Entry Fee for ages 12+)

Listen: to a free acoustic country music show by Kelsey HartJoin at Chapman’s Brewing on Nov. 14, 6-9 p.m., hosted by 93.3 FM.

Learn: about systemic issues and collective action at a Consciousness-Raising Party hosted by social media influencer @FortWayneFoodSlut at Purdue Fort Wayne on Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m.

Relax: with a unique wellness experience at Discover Yoga studio on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m., in partnership with the Philharmonic. The event features a string ensemble performing a curated selection of soothing classical works to a gentle yoga practice. ($35; RSVP required.)

Hit the trails: for National Take a Hike Day on Nov. 17 at noon at the Pufferbelly Trailhead at the Parkview Family YMCA, heading south for a leisurely 2-mile stroll.  

Check out: renovations to the Civic Theatre at productions of “Frozen” and “The Nutcracker” this winter. Updates include a new auditorium with space for a unique community scene shop off stage left,* available for the public to create props with tools, like 3D printers.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett