The city of Fort Wayne is offering nonprofit colleges that make capital investments in the downtown area matching grants of up to $3 million.
 
Mayor Tom Henry announced Monday the city would seek applications for the 3-to-1 match grants, saying it’s an effort to make the downtown area a hub for innovative learning. Letters were sent to college and university presidents throughout the region and Indiana inviting proposals.
 
To be eligible, colleges must be willing to make a commitment to downtown or core neighborhoods for 20 to 30 years. The proposals also must put an emphasis on significantly increasing education and training opportunities in and around Fort Wayne’s business district.
 
Henry says education will lead to a skilled workforce that has the ability to compete for jobs.