New Haven launches economic and community development initiative
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The city of New Haven this month announced the launch of New Haven Next, an initiative aimed at advancing economic and community development in the Allen County city.
Billed as a strategic alliance between the city and the leadership team behind Fort Wayne Next, New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael says the initiative is a public-private partnership designed to develop and redevelop areas of the community.
The city said New Haven Next is part of a greater regional effort to bring in billions of dollars in investment to northeast Indiana over the next decade.
McMichael told Inside INdiana Business that the city has laid the groundwork for the initiative over the last five years.
“We’ve been able to get in and take care of infrastructure issues, been able to stabilize our water rates,” he said. “We’ve been able to grow our economy in both jobs and households. We have hundreds of new homes that have been built the last few years. So the time is right to accelerate the next level as far as commercial, multi-family, mixed-use development in our downtown and in other areas of the city as well.”
McMichael also noted that the recently passed Senate Enrolled Act 1 signed by Gov. Mike Braun, which cuts the amount of property tax revenue that local governments will receive, is also a driving force behind the effort.
“Legislative leaders have made it very clear that local municipalities are going to have to figure out their own way of making things happen,” he said. “We’re excited about that. We always see challenges up as opportunities. So we are taking the advice of the governor, and we’re taking things into our own hands, and we’re making things happen.”
While the city doesn’t have any specific projects in the works through New Haven Next, McMichael said property acquisition will be an initial focus as well as community outreach.
“We hope to have very soon some community discussion on exactly what the community is looking for as part of New Haven Next,” he said.
The city has also established a new community development corporation, known as New Haven Spark, to assist with new development efforts. The organization will be led by Pone Vongphachanh, the city’s economic development director, and is comprised of three New Haven residents as members.
“I think that northeast Indiana is an amazing place to live, work and play, and New Haven is a contributor to all of that,” McMichael said. “So we want to continue to raise the stakes of New Haven. We will continue to provide opportunities for our current residents and create opportunities for new residents to come.”
The team leading Fort Wayne Next is comprised of developers and business leaders from throughout northeast Indiana, including Eric Doden, principal of Domo Development Co. and former CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
“We are thrilled to work with Mayor McMichael and his team on New Haven Next,” Doden said in a news release. “It’s further evidence of the enthusiasm and excitement for this bold vision – and for the fact that this is a plan aimed to drive growth and success throughout Allen County and Northeast Indiana.”
The city said the collaboration with the Fort Wayne Next team will ensure a strategic and community-focused approach to development.
A major development for New Haven is also set to get underway soon. In 2023, the city announced plans for the Fields of Grace youth sports complex in partnership with Noblesville-based Card & Associates.
McMichael said the city had to make some funding adjustments due to changes created by Senate Enrolled Act 1, but that work has been completed, and officials expect to break ground on the project by the end of May.
Officials estimate the complex, when complete, will see over 1 million visitors and generate $50 million in annual economic impact for New Haven.