Fort Wayne to study growth of region’s music economy
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Visit Fort Wayne and other community leaders are launching a months-long study to examine how to grow the area’s music economy.
The tourism organization has commissioned global research consultant Sound Diplomacy to develop a long-term strategy to position music as a key driver in the regional economy, Visit Fort Wayne said Tuesday. Over 10 months, the London-based consultancy will research local regulations, policies and strategies, identify stakeholders in the music scene, solicit community feedback and perform an economic impact assessment.
“Many cities want to grow their music economy and nightlife, but we believe that Fort Wayne and Allen County’s strength lies in fertile ground—a place where innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship converge—and we’re excited to see how music will continue to uplift and unite our community and region as a powerhouse of creativity,” Jessa Campbell, director of destination development and communications at Visit Fort Wayne, said in a news release.
Music lovers and those working in or connected to the music economy are invited to share their opinions through a community survey. The survey will close Feb. 23.
The effort is being funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne’s Knight Fund, the Don Wood Foundation, Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and Visit Fort Wayne.
“The generosity of these community organizations expresses our collective commitment to improving the quality of place for our residents and ensures the growth of the visitor economy,” Visit Fort Wayne CEO and President Jill Boggs said in the release.
The music economy in Fort Wayne is gaining momentum, including the September groundbreaking of the $25 million Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building on the campus of Purdue University Fort Wayne.
The 26,000-square-foot building will house the university’s popular music, music industry, and music technology programs, Inside INdiana Business reported. When complete, it will feature three recording studios and control rooms, 10 edit suites, an audio lab, two rehearsal spaces, a large classroom, seven offices and a conference room.