About an hour southwest of Fort Wayne, Wabash is a high-achieving arts community with strong local spirit and Wabash will. Known for being the first electrically lighted city in the world, this innovative, close knit community packs small town charm where residents actively invest and shape their city's future.
“It teaches skills the participants can take into any workforce, such as arriving on time, working as a team, and completing tasks on time. The program builds confidence and independence. It’s wonderful from a work training and a personal skills perspective.”
“Without our Main Street organizations, the historic downtowns throughout Wabash County and the work they do, we would fall to the plight of urban sprawl. They are truly focused on the economic vitality of the structures that are part of our cultural heritage of where we were, who we were, and what made our communities even become communities.”
“These days, with many people being able to do remote work, outdoor recreation is a real plus for any community. Gone are the days of just building factories for people to work. You need so much more to acquire and retain talent. People are much more aware of quality of life. You absolutely have to have several amenities to keep families. Outdoor activity, along with housing, schools, safety, arts and culture are the key aspects of what attracts people to your community.”
“Those visionaries kind of instilled the culture of reinvestment back into your community and then what that has led to is that just being the way of life here in Wabash County is then you see other people who have chosen to do that as well."
“We want our businesses to grow up and fly the coop. Just like an actual chicken and an incubator, we want them to outgrow us and get the skills they need to move on from us.”
“That’s where we have to get creative with different programs and housing initiatives. We aren’t seeing as many people selling their homes today, just because of how the market has been. We’re working on a few different innovative housing types."
"There are a large number of opportunities to be really involved in a meaningful way. That just makes the community that much stronger."
“We’re excited to welcome ten folks in, we’re going to roll out the red carpet, wrap around these folks, and show them all the good things we have to offer here in Wabash County."
Parkview Health recently expanded Parkview Wabash Hospital's mental health clinic, doubling the space's size. Professionals from the clinic weigh in on how this change allows them to better serve the community.
Shane Waters is the owner of Black Label Podcasting, the host of multiple podcasts, a proud Wabash resident and the recent winner of the 'Best True Crime Show' award from CrimeCon.
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