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Contact Us

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Published: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 10:58

Telephone: (260) 422-2304
Fax: (260) 424-0024
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Address:1830 Wayne Trace
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46803

SEED Fort Wayne Staff

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Andrea Robinson, PhD
Economic Development Administrator, SEED Fort Wayne                                          
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Elizabeth Lewis 
Director SEED Fort Wayne 
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Rochelle Joseph
Property Manager & Program Coordinator 
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Cinthia Loera
Business & Economic Development Specialist
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Cozey Baker
Business Consultant
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SEED/UEA Board Member List

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Published: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 10:58

Urban Enterprise Association d/b/a SEED Fort Wayne

 Representation:Term ExpiresAppt. By
John Dortch, Chair SEED Business March 31, 2026 Mayor
The Preston Joan Group/Fort Wayne Ink Spot      
Ellen Cutter, Vice Chair SEED Business March 31, 2026 Mayor 
Vice President of Economic Development
Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.		      
Julie Shakir Labor/Union March 31, 2026 City Council
Hagerman Construction       
Daniel Baisden  Plan Commision March 31, 2026 Mayor
CD Administrator - Neighborhood Planning & Act
City of Fort Wayne		      
Dr. Andrea Robinson
 City Government  March 31, 2026 Mayor
CD Administrator & SEED Director
City of Fort Wayne		      
Jerry Henry SEED Business March 31, 2026 City Council
Owner, Midwest Pipes & Steele      
Geoff Paddock City Council March 31, 2026 City Council
5th District
City Councilman		      
Fernando Zapari, Treasurer  SEED Resident March 31, 2026 Mayor
President, El Mexicano       
Rohli Booker  SEED Resident March 31, 2026 City Council
6th District
City Councilwoman 		      
Jerry Starks SEED Business March 31, 2026 Mayor
Owner, J M Realty      
       
Philip GiaQuinta State Legislature March 31, 2026 Governor

Linda Walczak
Director, Northeast Region
Indiana Economic Development Corporation

 State Legislature March 31, 2026 Governor
Rachel Guin Legal Counsel March 31, 2026  Board Appointed
Rothberg Law Firm      

2024 Scheduled Board Meetings

January 11, 2024
January Agenda - PDF
December Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

February 8, 2024
February Agenda - PDF
January Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

March 14th, 2024
March Agenda - PDF
February Board Meeting Minutes - PDF 

April 11, 2024
April Agenda - PDF
March Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

May 9, 2024
May Agenda - PDF
April Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

June 13, 2024
June Agenda - PDF
May Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

July 11, 2024
July Agenda - Cancelled
June Board Meeting Minutes - Pending

August 8, 2024
August Agenda - Pending
July Board Meeting Minutes - Cancelled

September 12, 2024
September Agenda - Pending
August Board Meeting Minutes - Pending

October 10, 2024
October Agenda - Pending
September Board Meeting Minutes - Pending

November 14, 2024
November Agenda - Pending
October Board Meeting Minutes - Pending

December 12, 2024
December Agenda - Pending
November Board Meeting Minutes - Pending

2023 Scheduled Board Meetings

January 12, 2023
January 2023 Agenda - PDF
December 2022 Meeting Minutes - PDF

March 9, 2023
March Agenda - PDF
January & February Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

May 11, 2023
May Agenda - PDF
March Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

June 8, 2023
June Agenda - PDF
May Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

July 13, 2023
July Agenda - PDF
June Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

August 10, 2023
August Agenda
July Board Meeting Minutes

September 14, 2023
September Agenda
August Board Meeting Minutes

October 12, 2023
October Agenda - PDF
September Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

November 9, 2023
November Agenda - PDF
October Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

December 14, 2023
December Agenda - PDF
November Board Meeting Minutes - PDF

2022 Board Meetings

SEED Business Grant

Details
Published: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 10:58

SEED Business Grant Applications are now OPEN!

Program Overview

The Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District created the SEED Business Grant to help businesses with operating equipment, interior enhancements, selected improvements, and professional services. The program provides funding of up to $5,000 to eligible businesses. The Grant assists those business owners to promote reinvestment, strengthen Fort Wayne’s commercial activity, and enhance economic vitality in the SEED District.

Program Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Job Creation
  • The proposed project’s ability to transform business activities.
  • The impact the proposed improvements will have on the corridor.
  • The long-term durability and sustainability of the improvements and businesses

Program Guidelines

  • The Grant Program provides up to $5,000 per calendar year eligible as reimbursement or direct vendor pay to eligible SEED District Businesses.
  • Each building on a parcel and each business in a multi-tenant commercial building is permitted to qualify as a separate project and apply for an individual Grant. Multiple applicants in one building or parcel of land do not have to apply as one entity.
  • A business can receive one award per 12-month calendar year. Businesses are limited to $5,000 per business over a period of five (5) years.

Eligible Projects and Businesses

  • Businesses must be domiciled within the 7 square miles of the Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District (See online map-https://www.fwcommunitydevelopment.org/seed-map).
  • Mobile businesses are not eligible for the SEED Business Grant unless they can prove that more than 50% of their revenue is derived from SEED District Business Activities and that they are domiciled in the SEED District.
  • Businesses must have commercial activity as their primary purpose such as retail and specialty stores, services, restaurants, cultural venues, professional offices, and manufacturing business/industrial use.
  • Mixed-use buildings are eligible if the ground floor is predominately used for commercial activity. Properties used primarily for residential purposes, including assisted living centers, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.
  • Businesses operating in the Fort Wayne Urban Enterprise Center are eligible for the SEED Business Grant. Tenants must be current on their rent. This grant is not eligible for rental payments or payroll expenses.
  • Businesses that operate virtually must be domiciled in the SEED District.
  • Not-for-profits are eligible as long as they include commercial uses and services.

Submission Guidelines, Approval, and Timeline

All projects receiving a financial award must comply with the SEED Business Grant Guidelines.

Review grant guidelines for eligibility - Guidelines 

Submit an Application - Application

Application to SEED Business Grant does not guarantee approval for funding. 

The Director of Community Development reserves the right to make changes/exceptions as needed.”

For all SEED Business Grant-related inquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. subject line SEED Business Grant. NO walk-ins or paper applications will be accepted. 

Fort Wayne Enterprise Center

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Published: Wednesday, 09 January 2019 10:57

The SEED Fort Wayne Enterprise Center is a small business incubator that provides industrial, light manufacturing, production, and professional office space. The Center can house 10 manufacturing/industrial/production and 13 front office tenants in its 50,000 square feet facility at substantially below market rates to start, to assist startup businesses. Spaces range from 90 to 7,500 square feet. 

The Center is located at 1830 Wayne Trace, Fort Wayne, IN 46803 which is near the central business district. Tenants have easy access to Fort Wayne's major streets, highways, and downtown.

Because the Center is in the Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District (SEED), tenants may qualify for tax savings. The combination of tax savings and low overhead allows Enterprise Center startup businesses to grow faster.  

Perks of being a SEED Fort Wayne Enterprise Center Tenant include:

  • Free parking for employees and visitors  
  • A quality environment in modern facilities
  • 24-hour building access
  • Conference rooms equipped with teleconference and video conference capabilities. 
  • Designated and fully equipped break room with seating, fridge, coffee maker, and private storage. 
  • Cleaning and trash removal
  • Indoor shipping and receiving area
  • Designated mail room and package delivery 
  • Internet Access
  • Fax Machine
  • Color copier, printer, and scanner at low cost
  • Electronic and  keyless entry security system
  • 24/7 security surveillance.
  • Front office space starts at $220.00 a month
  • Production space starts at $573.33 a month (this price is dependent on which space is available as prices vary based on square footage) 

To apply click the link here to apply for office or manufacturing space