#PeopleofNEI: Tyler, a Wabash ambassador

Northeast Indiana is evolving. These are the people shaping its future. #PeopleofNEI

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Tyler Karst is the project coordinator at Wabash Marketplace, Inc. Living and working in Wabash, he knows almost everyone he runs into when he walks the streets. His love for Wabash is evident not only in his conversations with locals but also in what he does with his time each day. “I grew up around here. I moved away for years and came back in 2014. I enjoy walking around and seeing someone I don’t recognize and reaching out to them. I always want to know where they are from and what brought them to Wabash. I love enlightening people about Wabash. There are so many teachable moments. We have so much going on here from national acts like Willie Nelson, Blue Man Group, and Tony Bennett performing at the Honeywell Center to being named a 2014 Stellar Community to being part of the 2016 Small Business Revolution to the renovation of the Eagles Theatre. I love finding new items in the local shops, drinking coffee at Modoc’s Market, enjoying a beer at Chapman’s Brewing Company, or spending time at Charley Creek Inn. We have a beautiful trail system, waterfalls, and have the Dam to Dam Wabash County Century Ride that offers up to 100 miles of biking that brings people here from not just different states but different countries. A recent study showed that over $40 million a year comes into Wabash via tourism. After moving away and coming back, I have a greater appreciation for this community. Being a part of it and having a say with local leaders has been really impactful for myself. The transition that is happening and will continue to happen has been so enlightening because of how many people it takes to start this momentum and continue it. The amount of people that stop me to thank me or the organization has been really exciting. This is what drives me to continue to do what I do to put Wabash on the map both locally, regionally, and nationwide.” #PeopleofNEI

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Read more articles by Stephen J. Bailey.

Stephen J. Bailey is a Fort Wayne native and the owner of PH Digital that was founded in 2006. Based out of the Anthony Wayne Building in downtown Fort Wayne, he specializes in web development, SEO development, social media management, and digital marketing campaigns with numerous companies in northeast Indiana. Stephen loves road trips, sushi, his pups, and spending time on our three rivers.