Economic Development

For decades BCA has been a strong proponent and financial contributor to northeast Indiana economic development efforts and the professional organizations in the business of economic development. Through the early 1980s, BCA donated $150,000 to the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council and held a leadership role on that board of directors. In 1995 BCA launched its current fundraising campaign and, on average, has 50 members that pledge their support to it year after year.  Annual investments total over a quarter-million dollars in the past decade alone. Recipients of this support are the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, Greater Fort Wayne, and ten outlying regional counties.

2023 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTORS

To help members and investors be apprised of activities to attract and retain business for our market area, the committee sponsors two events annually with activity updates from recipient organizations of our economic development funds. BCA members interact with area economic development officials and elected officials throughout the region to network and learn from each other about challenges and opportunities for our local market.

BCA has been an advocate and lobbyist for many landmark construction projects over the years in this community, including:

  • General Motors Corporation
  • Allen County Memorial Coliseum Expansion
  • Baer Field (Fort Wayne International) Airport Expansions
  • Airport Expressway
  • Grand Wayne Center Renovation
  • Parkview Field
  • Riverfront Development
  • Harrison Square
  • Electric Works
  • The Landing

A long-time advocate for a one-stop-shop permitting system with local planning departments, BCA actively meets with local planning professionals. Goals are to create a dialogue between these government agencies and the users of their services to encourage more efficient project routing and to serve in an advisory capacity to them.