Fort Wayne residents saw two notable community investments this week: the city’s Department of Neighborhoods distributed 12 micro‑grants to neighborhood associations, and Chipotle Mexican Grill opened a new restaurant featuring a drive‑thru pickup lane on Coventry Lane.
According to WOWO, the city’s Department of Neighborhoods, in partnership with the Indiana Michigan Power Foundation, awarded twelve grants of up to $1,500 each during the fall session of the Sparked at Inspire program. The grants support projects that grew out of ideas shared at the annual Inspire Neighborhoods Conference held on Sept. 11 at Electric Works. Recipients include Bluewater Estates (new entrance and event signage), Creighton Home (IRS designation support and community mailers), East Central (insurance and community signage), East Side (door hangers and meeting signs), Fairfield Terrace Belmont (community mailers), Hacienda Village (neighborhood directory and door hangers), Harvester (insurance, mailers, meeting supplies, promotional items), LaRez (community mailers), Memorial Park (IRS designation support), North Anthony (newsletters and event signage), Oak Borough (promotional items) and Williams Woodland Park (event marketing materials). The fall awards bring the program’s total to 23 grants for the year, following 11 grants awarded in the spring.
In a separate development, WOWO reported that Chipotle Mexican Grill opened a new location at 5770 Coventry Lane on Monday, Nov. 16. The restaurant operates daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. and features a Chipotlane drive‑thru pickup lane, allowing customers to collect digital orders without leaving their vehicles. The menu includes the limited‑time Smoked Brisket and high‑protein options ranging from 15 to 81 grams of protein per item, as well as customizable family meals. Chipotle is hiring for the site, typically offering about 30 positions with benefits such as crew bonuses, debt‑free college degree programs, ESL classes and mental‑health resources for employees and their families.
What’s next: Neighborhood associations can begin implementing their funded projects immediately, and residents can learn more about the Sparked at Inspire program at InspireFortWayne.com. Job seekers interested in the Chipotle opening can apply online at chipotle.com/careers, and diners can join the Chipotle Rewards program for promotions and a free chips‑and‑guacamole offer for new members.
