Where Innovation Meets Small-Town Heart

Strategic investments are transforming this historic Indiana city of 10,000 into a model for small-town revival.

Just 30 miles north of Fort Wayne, Kendallville demonstrates what’s possible when a community dreams big while staying true to its roots. This Noble County gem has defied the familiar narrative of declining small towns, crafting a success story built on strategic planning and innovative development. In 2023 alone, the city welcomed 16 new downtown businesses, transformed an industrial site into a sustainable energy hub, and hosted nearly 300 sports teams at its state-of-the-art complex.

“Kendallville represents the sweet spot where nature, nostalgia, and community intersect,” reflects Grace Caswell, Executive Director of Visit Noble County. “What sets us apart isn’t just our assets—it’s how we leverage them. We have historic architecture, natural beauty, and modern amenities. But more importantly, we have leadership that knows how to blend these elements into something extraordinary.”

That leadership includes Mayor Lance Waters, whose 24-year career with the Kendallville Police Department gave him an intimate understanding of the city’s challenges and potential. “Our success stems from an unshakeable sense of community,” he explains from City Hall, a renovated 19th-century building that symbolizes the city’s blend of heritage and progress. “When we secured the $2 million PreservINg Main Street Grant, it wasn’t just about restoring buildings—it was about preserving the heart of our community while pushing it into the future.”

The city’s achievements include a parks system spanning over 600 acres, featuring Bixler Lake Park with its 117-acre lake and 89-acre sports complex. Downtown occupancy rates have soared to 90%, with businesses ranging from tech startups to artisanal restaurants. Even during recent challenges, the city has maintained momentum, breaking ground on new housing developments and expanding its fiber-optic infrastructure.

“Every project we complete builds on our vision of a connected, sustainable community,” Mayor Waters says. “We’re not just preserving history—we’re making it.”

Downtown Kendallville: Where History Meets Economic Vitality

The transformation of Kendallville’s downtown represents a masterclass in collaborative community development. Through the strategic leadership of City Council Member and Historic Downtown Kendallville President Tara Streb and Executive Director Kristen Johnson, the district has evolved into a thriving economic hub while preserving its 19th-century charm.

The $2 million PreservINg Main Street Grant catalyzed a chain reaction of investment and renewal. “This wasn’t just about beautiful buildings,” explains Johnson, Executive Director of Historic Downtown Kendallville. “It was about creating a sustainable economic ecosystem that could support both established businesses and emerging entrepreneurs.”

The numbers tell a compelling story. Since the grant’s implementation, downtown Kendallville has welcomed 16 net new businesses and maintains a remarkable 90% occupancy rate, with historic buildings housing everything from tech startups to artisanal eateries. The initial $2 million investment has attracted an additional $3 million in private capital, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and improvement. Of 25 initial renovation applicants, eight transformative projects were completed, becoming showcase examples of historic preservation done right.

The success story of Jen’s Bistro exemplifies the impact. “Kevin and Jen Sabrosky represent exactly what we hoped to attract,” Mayor Waters shares. “They saw the potential in our downtown and transformed a historic space into a thriving restaurant that now draws diners from across the region.” Their journey from military service and teaching to successful restaurant ownership mirrors Kendallville’s own transformation story.

The $2 million streetscape project delivered more than aesthetic improvements—it created a pedestrian-friendly environment with new streets, period-appropriate lighting, New sidewalks but not widened. The Historic Downtown Kendallville team has also implemented a robust business support program, offering marketing assistance, facade grants, and mentorship opportunities to ensure businesses don’t just open—they thrive.

“What makes our downtown special isn’t just the preserved architecture or the new businesses,” reflects Streb. “It’s the way these elements come together to create a space where history feels alive and relevant to today’s community needs.”

Building Tomorrow’s Kendallville

As Kendallville positions itself for future growth, the city is executing a comprehensive development strategy that addresses three critical pillars: housing diversity, infrastructure modernization, and digital connectivity. This multi-pronged approach aims to create a foundation strong enough to support generations of growth while maintaining the city’s character and affordability.

“We’re not only building houses—we’re creating neighborhoods that work for every stage of life,” explains Mayor Waters. The Noble Creek development exemplifies this approach, having welcomed twelve new families since its 2022 launch near an elementary school, making it particularly attractive to young families. A new mixed-use development downtown will add 24 apartment units above retail spaces, while an 80-unit apartment complex near the hospital is in the design phase. The city has also approved plans for townhouses and duplexes, while an innovative initiative aims to convert historic buildings into affordable living spaces.

Infrastructure modernization stands out through a $6 million redesign project near the new middle school, featuring enhanced traffic flow with dedicated turn lanes, pedestrian-friendly walkways, and modern lighting systems. “Phase one’s completion marks a significant milestone,” notes Mayor Waters. “With phase two bidding this December and construction starting in 2026, we’re staying ahead of our growth curve.” The city has secured a $1.1 million Community Crossings Matching Grant for crucial improvements at seven locations throughout the city in 2025. Recent wastewater treatment renovations have increased capacity by 30%, supporting westward expansion and opening new areas for development.

Digital infrastructure proves equally essential. Kendallville has partnered with LigTel to deploy fiber-optic infrastructure citywide. “We’re building a digital highway that will serve our community for decades,” Mayor Waters explains. The rollout began with the western corridor and is now expanding northward along US Highway 6, promising speeds up to 1 Gbps for residential users and 10 Gbps for businesses—a digital foundation that positions Kendallville competitively for remote workers and digital enterprises.

“What sets Kendallville apart is our ability to think both tactically and strategically,” says Mayor Waters. “We’re solving today’s challenges while building tomorrow’s opportunities.”

A Rising Star in Sports and Recreation Tourism

Nestled amid Noble County’s network of 117 lakes, Kendallville has quietly emerged as a powerhouse in regional sports and recreation tourism. The city’s strategic approach combines natural assets with purpose-built facilities, creating a destination that draws visitors from across the Midwest and beyond.

“What makes Kendallville special is our individual attractions and how they all work together,” explains Grace Caswell, Executive Director of Visit Noble County. She gestures toward Bixler Lake from her office window, where morning kayakers glide across the water. “Having a 117-acre lake right in the heart of our city creates opportunities that other communities can only dream about. But it’s how we’ve built upon these natural advantages that really tells our story.”

The crown jewel of Kendallville’s sports tourism infrastructure is its 89-acre sports complex within Bixler Lake Park. This state-of-the-art facility has transformed the city into a regional sports destination, hosting nearly 300 teams for tournaments in the past year alone. The complex features eight meticulously maintained baseball and softball fields, five professional-grade soccer fields, and parking capacity for a thousand vehicles. Recent additions include a modern skate park, basketball courts, and two championship-caliber disc golf courses.

The city has earned particular recognition for its Great Indiana Golf Packages program, which predated the current golf tourism boom. This innovative initiative creates seamless experiences for golfers from across the United States, Canada, and international destinations, partnering local courses with hotels and restaurants to offer comprehensive packages.

“Post-COVID, we’ve evolved into what I’d call a modern destination marketing and management organization,” Caswell explains. “While we’re absolutely focused on bringing visitors to experience our Hoosier hospitality, we’re equally committed to ensuring these initiatives enhance quality of life for our residents.”

“When visitors come to Kendallville for a tournament or golf weekend, they experience more than just great facilities,” Mayor Waters reflects. “They discover a community that understands how to balance growth with authenticity, progress with tradition. That’s what keeps them coming back—and sometimes, deciding to make Kendallville their home.”

Kendallville’s Path to Sustainability

In the heart of Indiana, Kendallville is writing a new chapter in small-city sustainability. Through a combination of innovative energy projects, adaptive reuse of historic properties, and forward-thinking infrastructure planning, the city is demonstrating how communities can embrace environmental stewardship while honoring their industrial heritage.

The transformation of the former McCray Refrigeration site is the centerpiece of these efforts. For over a century, the property produced refrigeration units shipped worldwide. Today, it represents the city’s sustainable future as a state-of-the-art solar field. “The McCray transformation embodies everything we’re trying to achieve,” Mayor Waters explains. “We took a historic industrial site which was destroyed by fire and reimagined it for the future, investing $2 million to create something that benefits our entire community.”

The solar installation now generates enough power to make the city’s wastewater treatment plant entirely self-sufficient, with capacity to spare for future expansion. This achievement carries both practical and symbolic significance—a former manufacturing site now powers the infrastructure that supports new development and growth. The project, funded through municipal bonds and organizational contributions, has become a model for repurposing industrial properties.

The city is actively pursuing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout the downtown area, with applications submitted for six stations. The city’s green infrastructure master plan emphasizes integrating natural systems into urban environments, including expanded trail networks and enhanced tree canopy coverage. Transportation sustainability extends to enhanced walkability and bike-friendliness through strategic infrastructure improvements.

“Kendallville’s approach to sustainability is unique because of our focus on practical, achievable goals that deliver immediate community benefits,” Mayor Waters reflects. “We’re not just implementing green initiatives for their own sake—we’re creating sustainable systems that enhance quality of life, reduce operating costs, and position our city for future growth.”

Kendallville’s Next Chapter

As Kendallville enters 2025, the city stands at an exciting intersection of achievement and opportunity. With successful downtown revitalization, expanding sports tourism, and innovative sustainability initiatives already in motion, city leaders are focused on leveraging these accomplishments to drive the next phase of growth.

Housing remains at the forefront of Kendallville’s development agenda. “Our housing strategy has evolved beyond simply adding inventory,” explains Mayor Waters. “We’re creating a comprehensive ecosystem of housing options that supports our workforce, attracts new residents, and maintains the character of our neighborhoods.” Recent market studies have identified demand for various housing types, from starter homes to upscale apartments, and the city is actively partnering with developers to meet these needs. The success of Noble Creek and other residential developments has created momentum for further growth, with plans for additional mixed-use projects downtown.

Mayor Waters credits his father’s example as a local business owner for shaping his leadership philosophy. “He taught me that the best solutions come from bringing people together and finding common ground,” he reflects. “In Kendallville, we’ve created a culture where business owners, residents, and city officials work together to solve challenges and seize opportunities.” This collaborative approach has become central to the city’s success.

Looking ahead, Kendallville’s priorities are ambitious while pragmatic. The city is developing a comprehensive trail system connecting neighborhoods to downtown, parks, and commercial areas. Plans are underway to expand the sports complex’s capabilities, potentially attracting larger tournaments. The successful downtown revitalization model is being adapted for other commercial districts, while sustainability initiatives are expanding to include solar power at additional municipal facilities and enhanced green infrastructure throughout the city.

“What excites me most about Kendallville’s future is how our various initiatives are coming together,” says Mayor Waters. “Our housing developments support our business growth, which in turn supports our downtown vitality. Our sports tourism brings visitors who experience our quality of life and sometimes become residents. Everything connects, creating a vibrant community that honors its past while embracing the future.”

At a Glance

Who: Kendallville
What: A thriving small city focused on revitalization, housing, sustainability, and tourism
Where: Noble County, Indiana
Website: https://www.kendallvillein.gov

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