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GFW Inc. Organizational History
Our Commitment to Fort Wayne and Allen County
For more than 10 years, our organization has been a driving force for economic growth and community transformation in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Thanks to the efforts of our dedicated team, visionary board members, supportive partners, and engaged community, we have:
- Attracted new businesses,
- Created jobs,
- Revitalized downtown areas, and
- Fostered a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Our journey reflects resilience and innovation. We have faced challenges and embraced opportunities with a focus on collaboration and inclusivity. These principles help us turn bold ideas into meaningful, lasting results.
Looking ahead, our mission remains clear:
To drive economic prosperity and improve the well-being of our community. Together, we will continue building a thriving region that creates pride and opportunity for future generations.
VIDEO – Greater Fort Wayne Inc. 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Video
(((Could we add a timeline slider or just the html code for our existing timeline until I can build something new?)))
HTML code for timeline
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta name=”viewport” content=”width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0″>
<style>
* {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
body {
background-color: <div id=”white”></div>;
font-family: Flama, sans-serif;
}
/* The actual timeline (the horizontal ruler) */
.timeline {
position: relative;
max-width: 1200px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
/* The actual timeline (the vertical ruler) */
.timeline::after {
content: ”;
position: absolute;
width: 6px;
background-color: #003660;
top: 0;
bottom: 0;
left: 50%;
margin-left: 2px;
}
/* Container around content */
.container {
padding: 10px 40px;
position: relative;
background-color: inherit;
width: 50%;
}
/* The circles on the timeline */
.container::after {
content: ”;
position: absolute;
width: 25px;
height: 25px;
right: -17px;
background-color: #c4d82e;
border: 4px solid #003660;
top: 15px;
border-radius: 50%;
z-index: 1;
}
/* Place the container to the left */
.left {
left: 0;
}
/* Place the container to the right */
.right {
left: 50%;
}
/* Add arrows to the left container (pointing right) */
.left::before {
content: ” “;
height: 0;
position: absolute;
top: 22px;
width: 0;
z-index: 1;
right: 30px;
border: #c4d82e;
border-width: 10px 0 10px 10px;
border-color: #c4d82e;
}
/* Add arrows to the right container (pointing left) */
.right::before {
content: ” “;
height: 0;
position: absolute;
top: 22px;
width: 0;
z-index: 1;
left: 30px;
border: #c4d82e;
border-width: 10px 10px 10px 0;
border-color: #c4d82e;
}
/* Fix the circle for containers on the right side */
.right::after {
left: -8px;
}
/* The actual content */
.content {
padding: 20px 30px;
background-color: #c4d82e;
position: relative;
border-radius: 6px;
}
/* Media queries – Responsive timeline on screens less than 600px wide */
@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {
/* Place the timelime to the left */
.timeline::after {
left: 31px;
}
/* Full-width containers */
.container {
width: 100%;
padding-left: 70px;
padding-right: 25px;
}
/* Make sure that all arrows are pointing leftwards */
.container::before {
left: 60px;
border: #c4d82e;
border-width: 10px 10px 10px 0;
border-color: #c4d82e;
}
/* Make sure all circles are at the same spot */
.left::after, .right::after {
left: 15px;
}
/* Make all right containers behave like the left ones */
.right {
left: 0%;
}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class=”timeline”>
<div class=”container left”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2012</h2>
<p>Mike Packnett becomes transitional board chair to guide merger of Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and Fort Wayne-Allen County Alliance.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container right”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2013</h2>
<p>Mark Becker is hired as the President and CEO of the newly formed Greater Fort Wayne Inc.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. moves into new office space on the 8th floor of the 1st Source Center building.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. merger is touted as one of the community’s “wins”.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”timeline”>
<div class=”container left”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2014</h2>
<p>John Urbahns is hired as the Executive Vice President of Economic Development.</p>
<p>Ron Turpin becomes the Board Chair.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. posts a positive net cash balance.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container right”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2015</h2>
<p>Eric Doden is appointed President and CEO of GFW Inc.</p>
<p>Susan Wesner hired as CFO.</p>
<p>The first Inter-City Visit takes GFW Inc. and guests to Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, MI, to learn more about their growing economic developments.</p>
<p>Regional Cities Initiative Presentation, GM $1.2B project.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container left”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2016</h2>
<p>The Target Industry Analysis is conducted.</p>
<p>Launch of the ‘Opportunity on the Edge of Greatness’ vision. This included 5 key projects over 10 years – Riverfront, Electric Works, Event Center, STEAM Park.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container right”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2017</h2>
<p>Allen County posts positive net migration for the first time in several years.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. and guests travel to Durham, NC for the second annual inter-City Visit.</p>
<p>Riverfront project receives greenlight to begin development.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container left”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2018</h2>
<p>Andrew Thomas becomes board chair.</p>
<p>Local funding is secured for Electric Works.</p>
<p>Ground-Breaking ceremony held for The Landing.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. and guests travel to Greenville, NC for the 2018 Inter-City Visit.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. wins Indiana Chamber of the Year.</p>
<p>The Diversity and Inclusion Task Force launches.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. Women’s Network is launched.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container right”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2019</h2>
<p>John Urbahns is promoted to President and CEO of GFW Inc.</p>
<p>Brenda Gerber-Vincent is hired as the Chief Impact Officer</p>
<p>Ellen Cutter is promoted to the Chief Economic Development Officer.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. and guests travel to Louisville, KY for the 2019 Inter-City Visit.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. receives an ACCE communications award.</p>
<p>MadeByMe Coalition is launched.
<p>Ground-Breaking ceremony held for the Bradley.</p></p>
<p>The Chamber Foundation is dissolved.</p>
<p>The Allen County Business Survey is conducted.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”timeline”>
<div class=”container left”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2020</h2>
<p>Beth Goldsmith becomes board chair.</p>
<p>Onboard Fort Wayne is launched.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. is a finalist for the ACCE Chamber of the Year.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. made adjustments to events and programs due to COVID.</p>
<p>1400 calls are made to members in two weeks as COVID begins to change the way we did business.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. provided assistance with administering the COVID Cares grant and the COVID resources hub.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. begins hosting webinars with Parkview to support businesses with information and knowledge during the pandemic.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container right”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2021</h2>
<p>GFW Inc. and guests travel to Carmel and Fishers, IN for the 2021 Intern-City Visit.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. is a finalist for the ACCE Chamber of the Year.</p>
<p>C-Suite Socials program is launched as part of Onboard Fort Wayne.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. staff assist in securing READI grant funds for Allen County.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container left”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2022</h2>
<p>The Allen County Together (ACT) Plan is implemented.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. hosts the first annual Economic Development Summit.</p>
<p>Zach Benedict becomes board chair.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container right”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2023</h2>
<p>GFW Inc. and guests travel to Huntsville, AL for the 2023 Inter-City Visit.</p>
<p>Gateways for Growth is launched.</p>
<p>The Intern Experience is launched to introduce Fort Wayne and Allen County to college interns.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container left”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2024</h2>
<p>GFW Inc. celebrates its 10-year anniversary.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. team works closely with local and state partners to bring Google data center site to southeast Fort Wayne.</p>
<p>GFW Inc. surpasses $2B in annual private investment for the first time in organizations history.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”container right”>
<div class=”content”>
<h2>2025</h2>
<p>GFW Inc. continues progress toward growth and momentum in Allen County.</p>
</body>
</html>