FORT WAYNE — Allen County is the first county in Indiana to receive the “Certified Welcoming” designation from the national nonprofit Welcoming America.
The award, announced Friday, Sept. 19, during the Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards at Purdue Fort Wayne, places the county among 32 local governments recognized nationwide for fostering inclusive communities.
The designation recognizes efforts to foster an environment in which immigrants and refugees can thrive alongside long-term residents. Welcoming America evaluates communities’ policies and programs that promote inclusion, civic engagement, and equitable access to services.
Local officials emphasized the importance of newcomers in boosting Allen County’s economy and workforce. According to a 2023 study of new Americans in the country, foreign-born residents help to grow the population, start businesses, and fill labor shortages.
Leaders also acknowledged immigrants’ cultural and social impact through participation in schools, neighborhoods, and civic affairs.
Welcoming America, founded in 2009, works with governments and nonprofits across the country to promote belonging and inclusion. The organization sees its work as both a moral and economic imperative, arguing that communities are stronger and more competitive when they embrace diversity.
Allen County now joins a select group of cities and counties across the country that are committed to maintaining policies and practices that benefit both newcomers and long-term residents.
