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DeKalb County Profile 2017/2018 for the Community Foundation of DeKalb County evaluated population, demographic, socioeconomic and industry data for this northeast Indiana county. The report includes qualitative information gathered from a SWOT-PEST analysis CRI conducted with local leaders and recommendations for how DeKalb County can move forward. This presentation provides an overview of the quantitative data and a summary of the recommendations.
The Small Cities, Big Futures project for Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp. looked at Warsaw, Ind. compared to eight Midwestern peer cities with an oversized presence of a significant employer or industry. The report provides data about the 9 peer cities and a qualitative assessment conducted during project as well as 19 actionable recommendations. The two-page handout summarizes the recommendations relating to collaboration, economic development, talent, and community development.
To be able to view the following reports (some are available in both Word and PDF format), you must have Acrobat Reader.
We have arranged our reports by topic, click on the topic to find the report you are looking for. If you are unable to find the report you are looking for contact CRI.
- Business Dynamics
- Benefit & Wage Surveys
- Allen County Insight
- Regional Demographic and Economic Analysis
- Business Outlook
- Economic Impact Studies
- Local Government Structure
- Analysis & Planning
- IPFW
- General
Business Dynamics
Targeted Industry and Manufacturing Business Dynamics Reports for Northeast Indiana
The annual business dynamics report for the 10 county northeast Indiana region which focuses on changes (new, expansion, closing, downsizing, lay-off, and acquisition) to businesses in manufacturing and targeted industries.
Prepared for the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.
Benefit & Wage Surveys
2014 Survey of Benefits & Report of Wages for Whitley County
available in PDF format (27 pages):
The 2014 Survey of Benefits & Report of Wages is sponsored by the Whitley County EDC, Northeast Indiana Works, and leading employers 80/20, Inc, Ultra Electronics-USSI, and Warner Electric, LLC. Staff at the Community Research Institute at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) utilized occupational wage data from Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) based on employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Program. An electronic survey of benefits such as leave, insurance, and retirement was distributed to area employers. Other topics examined in the benefits survey include cost of benefits packages, impact of the Affordable Care Act, hiring practices, and use of resources available from Northeast Indiana Works.
2010 Northeast Indiana Fringe Benefit Survey with Occupational Wage Data
available in PDF format (41 pages):
In January 2010, Community Research Institute conducted a survey, sponsored by WorkOne Northeast, of the employer-provided benefits that companies offer in the 11-county northeast Indiana area. The result of this survey is a detailed analysis which will assist businesses, community leaders, and employees to make informed decisions and aid in planning. In addition to the overall analysis of these responses, this analysis investigated whether fringe benefits differed by classification (exempt and non-exempt). Additional analysis was done by sub regions: northern counties, western counties, and the central counties.
Access the sub region reports here (all in pdf format):
The Western Counties (Grant, Huntington, Wabash) (30 pages)
The Northern Counties (LaGrange, DeKalb, Steuben, Noble) (32 pages)
The Central Counties (Allen, Wells, Whitley, Adams) (36 pages)
The Allen County 2008 Fringe Benefit and Wage Report
available in PDF format (55 pages):
Fringe benefits such as leave, retirement, and insurance, are becoming increasingly important to employees as well as employers. In a 2008 survey sponsored by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance and WorkOne Northeast, the percentage of companies offering certain benefits, as well as a breakdown of who pays for insurance premiums are identified for Allen County businesses.
The average wage by occupation for Allen County is included as a part of this report. In many cases, comparisons are made to the wages paid in other northeast Indiana counties.
Allen County Insight
Every quarter, it is our intent to provide a recurring report on employment and wage data, as well as business events such as expansion news. In addition, each quarter will focus in detail on specific topics of local interest.
Allen County Insight is brought to you by The Community Research Institute at IPFW with the support of the Allen County Commissioners.
Issue 17 - July 2016 (4 pages, PDF) - Focus on Average Annual Wage
Issue 16 - April 2016 (7 pages, PDF) - Focus on Manufacturing
Issue 14 - October 2015 (6 pages, PDF) - Focus on Labor Participation
Issue 13 - July 2015 (5 pages, PDF) - Focus on Allen County Population and Migration
Issue 12 - April 2015 (6 pages, PDF) - Focus on Tourism and Hospitality
Issue 11 - January 2015 (6 pages, PDF) - Focus on Agriculture
Issue 10 - October 2014 (5 pages, PDF) - Focus on Baby Boomers and the Labor Participation Rate
Issue 9 - July 2014 (5 pages, PDF) - Focus on Real Personal Income and Cost of Living
Issue 8 - April 2014 (7 pages, PDF) - Focus on Downtown and Community Attachment
Issue 7 - January 2014 (5 pages, PDF) - Focus on Patents and Entrepreneurship
Issue 5 - July 2013 (5 pages, PDF) - Focus on Employment and Earnings, Pay Ratios, and Multipliers
Issue 4 - April 2013 (7 pages, PDF) - Focus on Gross Regional Product and Employment
Issue 2 - October 2012 (6 pages, PDF) - Focus on Pay
Issue 1 - July 2012 (6 pages, PDF) - Focus on Employment and the Great Recession
Regional Demographic and Economic Analysis
Fort Wayne's Downtown Residents, Workers
Fort Wayne's Downtown Residents, Workers report available in PDF format (49 pages)
An analysis of the residents, businesses and workers in the Fort Wayne Downtown Improvement District and surrounding neighborhoods in comparison to the city of Fort Wayne. Released December 2017.
DeKalb County Profile
DeKalb County Profile with Executive Summary available in PDF format (79 pages)
DeKalb County Profile Summary available in PDF format (8 pages)
A review of the economic, demographic, educational, housing, health and safety, and industry profile in DeKalb County, Indiana with emphasis on the period 2001 to 2010.
Prepared for the DeKalb County Community Foundation and the DeKalb United Way. Released July 2012.
Allen County Census Profile
In late 2010, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund awarded a grant to the Community Research Institute at IPFW (CRI) to review, analyze and make available to community the demographic and socio-economic data on Allen County being released by the U.S. Bureau of the Census through both the American Community Survey (ACS) program and the 2010 Decennial Census. There have been numerous changes in the population composition and economic condition of our community over the past ten years, and those changes can be assessed by reviewing this Census information.
Each section of the report is available below individually as a PDF file. Users of the data are strongly encouraged to read “Reengineering the Census” first in order to better understand the important difference between the information gathered through the American Community Survey and the decennial Census.
- Executive Summary
- Reengineering the Census
- Population
- Households
- Educational Attainment
- Income
- Poverty
- Housing
- Economic Well-Being and Other Census Data
- Appendices
A Comprehensive Review of Economic Trends in Northeast Indiana
available in PDF format (127 pages):
A review of northeast Indiana's long-term employment and income trends from 1972-2007. Long-term changes in education and population in the area are also reviewed.
Prepared for the Cole Foundation and Northeast Indiana Foundation, Sept. 2008.
Business Outlook
The Community Research Institute annually participates in the Indiana University Kelly School of Business Economic Outlook Panel. In conjunction with that program, the CRI prepares an economic forecast for the Fort Wayne area which appears in the Indiana Business Review’s Outlook edition.
Economic Impact Studies
The Community Research Institute has conducted numerous economic impact studies ranging from the impact of a one day event to a year long review of business entities. Some examples of our work in this area in the past ten years include the 2003 Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show, the 2005 Soccer Showcase, the 2008 Summary of NSA Girls Fastpitch Softball at the Dome, a 12-month review of the Honeywell Center on Wabash County, the impact of the USARS skating championships held in Fort Wayne in 2011, and most recently, a 12-month review of the Embassy Theatre on Allen County and downtown Fort Wayne.
The Economic Impact of the Embassy Theatre on Allen County, Indiana with Special Emphasis on the Impact to Downtown Fort Wayne
available in PDF format (41 pages):
CRI conducted a 12-month study on the impact of the Embassy Theatre on Allen County, Indiana with special emphasis on the impact to downtown Fort Wayne.
The Economic Impact of USA Roller Sports on Allen County, Indiana
available in PDF format (17 pages):
From July 17 through August 7, 2011, CRI conducted a study on the impact of USA Roller Skating National Championships in Speed and Figure Skating on Allen County, Indiana.
Local Government Structure
Allen County Local Government Efficiency Study Committee
"Building Bridges to Improve the Efficiency of Local Government in Allen County"
available in PDF format (23 pages):
The Allen County Local Government Efficiency Study Committee was formed in March, 2008 by the Fort Wayne City Council and the Allen County Board of Commissioners. It was charged with studying methods for creating “maximum efficiencies on a cost effective basis up to and including the formation of one unit of government. All departments and elements of City and County government must be considered.” The fourteen original members of the Committee were appointed by the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County, with a fifteen member selected by those fourteen. Linda Buskirk and Marilyn Moran-Townsend served as Co-chairs of the Committee. A Final Report detailing the Committees recommendations was released to the public and the founding units of government on October 21, 2008. The Community Research Institute provided technical support to the Committee.
Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform "Streamlining Local Government We've Got to Stop Governing Like This"
available in PDF format (46 pages):
Prepared per the request of Governor Mitch Daniels by a blue-ribbon commission chaired by former Governor Joseph E. Kernan and Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard. CRI director John Stafford was also a member of the commission.
Government 101--The Structure of Local Government in Allen County
available in PDF format (95 pages/slides):
by Andrew Downs of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics and John Stafford of the Community Research Institute, IPFW. November, 2004.
A Powerpoint ® presentation of Downs and Stafford's summary to the community based on their interviews of local officials and review of the current laws and regulations. The purpose of this project was to compile a comprehensive and accurate accounting of government services in Allen County. Restructuring governments in Allen County has been the subject of discussion and debate for more than 30 years, and the debate was reinvigorated by the bills introduced in the 2003/04 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The Charter Government Study Project, Inc. and other individuals agreed that this project should be completed and made financing for the project possible.
Local units of government are broken into six categories for this presentation:
- County, judicial
- County, other
- Townships
- Third-class cities and towns
- Second class city
- Special taxing districts
The Charter Government Study Project, Inc. and other supporters have no editorial control over the content of the presentation or the final report.
Analysis & Planning
Building a Twenty-First Century Economy In Northeast Indiana
available in PDF format (58 pages):
This report was prepared by the Community Research Institute for the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership as part of the latter organization's ongoing economic development strategy.
Prepared for the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
IPFW
Talent and High Tech Growth Occupations in Northeast Indiana
available in PDF format (41 pages):
This report was prepared by the Community Research Institute for Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in order to identify high-tech occupations which would be in demand in northeastern Indiana over the next ten years.
Support for this study was provided by the Lilly Foundation.
General
Review of the Casino Literature
available in PDF format (38 pages):
The recent research in such areas as the economics of gaming, patron profile, and local community and population social distress issues are reviewed in this study. Although this is a review of the literature, relevant issues pertaining to Fort Wayne's consideration of casino gambling are emphasized.
On the city's web site are links to both studies commissioned by the mayor.
Indiana Arts Commission Creative Economy Report 2016
Final document, with contributions from Indiana University Public Policy Institute, available in PDF format (118 pages). Community Research Institute pilot study document available in PDF format (195 pages):
In conjunction with the Indiana Arts Commission, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. commissioned Community Research Institute to conduct a review of the creative economy in the state of Indiana. The Indiana University Public Policy Institute then benchmarked that information against national data. Both the initial pilot study conducted by Community Research Institute and the final document, with contributions from the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, are linked above.
A Comparative Assessment of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Area Economy 2001-2016
available in PDF format (83 pages):
Prepared by the Community Research Institute for the Allen County Board of County Commissioners, this report compares the Fort Wayne metropolitan statistical area to twelve other Midwestern metropolitan areas in a variety of demographic and economic indicators.