Mayor Richard Claims Goal - Sort Of

The City of Fort Wayne released a press release today stating how the Mayor had reached his goal of seeing Fort Wayne obtain 1 Billion dollars in new investment in Fort Wayne since 2005. The entire press release can be read at Inside Indiana Business at:

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=25682#middle

I will give Mayor Richard a grade of "B-" for his efforts in recruiting new investments in Fort Wayne. Of his five top companies you will find four already doing business in the community. The fifth is even questionable to it even happening?

The lone "new" company in the name of White Lodging has not spent a dime in Fort Wayne and if we are to believe the Mayor's staff, they may walk away any day now. Is White Lodging actually putting up $36.6 million investment at risk? The answer is NO, in the real world!

Verizon PICKED Fort Wayne to roll out their fiber optic program. Why? Because of business interest only and had nothing to do with the Mayor's staff recruiting them. Fort Wayne was on Verizon's radar screen even before Mayor Richard started this program. However, everything is fair in politics.

One has to wonder if Lutheran Hospital and Dupont Hospital did not decide to invest $95.4 million, who would have? Let see, if the need was there and the two decided not do it then just maybe Parkview Hospital would have.

The one shining star of the entire list is the Fort Wayne Newspapers new printing press building. There is no doubt this is a good deal for everyone!

What is interesting the one project that is still is at risk is the only one that seems to have everyone possibility connected, in any fashion, with the city having their sticky fingers in it. Strange?

So the final score is three projects that would have mostly likely happened without the Mayor's help, one project the Mayor's helped may have sealed the deal, and one is being reported to be on "life support".

It is nice the Mayor is trying to put on this bright sunny picture of Fort Wayne. So, if it attracts the attention of other out of town businesses then that gets a pass, but with a chuckle.

I just hope new businesses seeking to locate in Fort Wayne, based it on getting the same deal White Lodging is trying to get, don't! I am down to the few nickels and pennies in my pockets to help shore up these PRIVATE INVESTMENTS.