Charming and on the Right Path

A Thriving City Where Rich History Meets Bold Growth

Tucked just east of Fort Wayne, New Haven, Indiana, embodies the perfect blend of small-town warmth and big city conveniences. With a population of nearly 16,500, New Haven’s residents enjoy vibrant local events, tight-knit neighborhoods, and access to world-class amenities just minutes away.

“The best thing about New Haven is the fact that we’re next to Fort Wayne, but we are not Fort Wayne,” emphasizes Mayor Steven McMichael. “It’s a really strong small town situated right next to a larger community that offers all the arts and entertainment and shopping that comes with that.”

Embracing Heritage and Transformation

New Haven’s identity is deeply connected to its history as a transportation hub. “Our story is a story of transformation through transportation,” portrays Mayor McMichael. The city’s main street tells the tale, beginning with the Maumee River, once a passage for Native Americans, followed by the Wabash and Erie Canal, which played a major role in early 19th-century commerce.

Moving south, the Nickel Plate and Wabash railroads mark the age of steam locomotives, and today, Norfolk Southern’s rail hub showcases the city’s continued role in transporta-tion. Further south, Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the U.S., repre-sents yet another layer of connectivity. “Our community was built on transportation. We’re proud of that heritage,” McMichael boasts.

New Haven is embracing this heritage through community art installations and cultural ini-tiatives designed to celebrate its legacy. “We’ve added additional community events, and I think there’s a better sense of place, which is part of the reason why people are moving here,” he says.

Growth in Housing and Development

A significant focus has been on housing development to accommodate New Haven’s growing population. “We’re seeing a large influx of people that either live in Fort Wayne and want to live in a quieter place, or live in the surrounding communities, particularly in Northwest Ohio, and work in Fort Wayne. They want to be closer, but they don’t necessarily want to live there,” McMichael outlines.

As a former real estate broker, the mayor understands the importance of providing diverse housing options. “I knew that the way to unleash New Haven’s potential was to really leverage the fact that we are close to Fort Wayne, and we are more of a bedroom community,” he explains. “We took the approach that we need all types of housing, because not everybody wants a tan, three bedroom, two bath, 1200 square foot ranch. Some people want to live in luxury apartments, some people want to live in townhouses or smaller houses. Some people want to live in a 5000 square foot house.”

In 2020 the city modified its zoning to eliminate as many barriers to development as possible. Over the past five years, approximately 500 new housing options have been built, with another 1,000 planned or in the planning stages. As a result, the city expects its population to reach 19,000 to 20,000 by the next census.

“We have some brand new homes for sale in New Haven that are around the $215,000 price point that are town homes, which is really unheard of in the market. And that’s because we are allowing homes to be built that match the market needs and the market appetite for pricing,” he acknowledges.

A Pro-Business Approach

When it comes to economic development, McMichael says, “We are definitely open for business. We’re a very pro business community.” With an administrative philosophy that is focused on getting to the “yes,” the city maintains flexibility in zoning and regulatory decisions to accommodate business and industrial growth.

“For example,” he adds, “somebody may propose a housing development or a business, and it may not exactly fit our zoning. We can figure out a way to identify why that investor in the community wants or needs that to happen, and we can explain why our ordinance is the way it is. Usually, we’re able to come to a really good middle ground.”

One of the city’s most significant projects is a 300-acre mixed-use development in partnership with Card & Associates. This $500 million initiative will feature youth sports facilities, a medical center, retail spaces, housing, entertainment, and hospitality. “That live, work, play situation is going to be a dynamic addition to the community,” Mayor McMichael underscores.

“We had all this land right along Interstate 469, between two exits, that had never been developed and became available. It’s all very, very exciting.” Groundbreaking is set for Spring 2025, with full build-out expected within five to seven years.

Infrastructure and Sustainability

New Haven benefits from city owned water and wastewater distribution, which is sourced from Fort Wayne. “We get the economies of scale on that, and we have a high quality product and plenty of capacity,” notes McMichael.

“We really haven’t had to do a ton of upgrades when it comes to water and sewer, because we have the capacity allowance through our contract with Fort Wayne. If we owned our own sewer treatment plant or water filtration plant, we’d be investing millions of dollars into upgrading those.” New Haven is also well equipped when it comes to connectivity, and high-speed fiber internet has been available for nearly two decades,

Sustainability efforts are a priority, and the city retooled its economic development abatement program in 2020 to incentivize environmentally friendly initiatives. “We encourage things like EV car chargers, LED down lighting, battery storage systems, and we encourage solar,” depicts McMichael.

“It’s a chance for businesses to get bonus points on their incentive application. For example, if they’re two points away from qualifying for a 10 year abatement, they could add some green structures to it and get enough points, by putting in a couple EV charging stations for their employees.” Educating residents on sustainability initiatives is another focus, including efforts to promote water conservation, energy efficiency, and the adoption of cost-saving measures.

Enhancing Quality of Life

The city is also committed to expanding recreational opportunities and strengthening its downtown connection. One initiative is the linking of the downtown district with the forthcoming sports complex, making it easy for the anticipated 15,000 weekly visitors to have an easy route to the downtown amenities. McMichael recounts, “The developer that we partnered with wants to really make sure that the existing community benefits from what’s being built. So, we’ve worked really hard on that.”

Additionally, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council is planning the development of a new downtown park featuring a splash pad, pickleball courts, and a climbing wall. “I absolutely love this,” he remarks. “This is a great way for kids that are in high school to learn about leadership and giving to the community, and they’re creating a legacy for the community that’s going to be here. These kids are 16, 17, 18, years old, and this is going to be here when they retire, when they have grandchildren.”

Leadership, Collaboration, and a Vision for the Future

Mayor McMichael brings a philosophy of lifelong learning, perseverance, and service to his role. “Every day, there’s an opportunity to learn more and do better for your community through that learning,” he imparts. “Give 100%, and keep working hard, even when it seems impossible, and always give, but seldom should you ever want anything in return.”

As it continues to evolve, collaboration remains a key element in New Haven’s growth strategy. The city works closely with neighboring communities and organizations to ensure regional success. As a member of the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission and the Northeast Indiana Mayors and Commissioners Caucus, McMichael highlights, “We meet monthly, and we talk about how we can raise the entire region. “I’m really big on how we all symbiotically benefit from each other.”

Looking ahead, New Haven’s roadmap centers on sustainable growth that preserves the city’s heritage while embracing modern opportunities. “We have residents who want additional retail and dining opportunities. The sports complex should certainly increase the number of those options being added to the community. We’re going to continue to work with industrial and logistics builders, so there’s additional jobs in the community, and advanced technology jobs,” the mayor expands.

“The future is very bright for New Haven, Indiana, and I couldn’t be more honored or more excited to be in the role that I’m in.”

At a Glance

Who: New Haven, Indiana
What: A growing community, neighboring the city of Fort Wayne.
Where: Allen County
Website: www.newhaven.in.gov