Council Approves $11.6 million in Ceded-Fund Appropriations for Arts, History and Economic Development; Innovation Center Request Fails

The Allen County Council voted Feb. 19 to release ceded‑fund appropriations totaling roughly $11.6 million to local organizations and county projects after presentations from county commissioners and nonprofit leaders.

Commissioner Ron Turpin presented the request to the council and said the commissioners would keep a running spreadsheet showing how the funds are spent. "You have my commitment as well as commissioners Beck and Brown that ... we are in favor of total transparency," Turpin said.

The council heard separate presentations from Todd Pelfrey of the Allen County Fort Wayne Historical Society (the History Center), Dan Ross of Arts United, and John Irvin of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. (GFW). Each organization outlined its planned use of county support and other parts of its capital or operating funding stacks, including private fundraising and state or federal programs.

Pelfrey told the council the History Center seeks a $575,000 multi‑year capital program but was requesting $125,000 in ceded funds for 2025 for Phase 2 exhibit upgrades, emphasizing the museum’s education outreach and high visitation. "Over the past 22 school years, we've welcomed over 133,000 students," Pelfrey said.

Dan Ross described Arch United’s $42 million renovation campaign for the Arts United Center and said the…