Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard, New Haven Mayor Terry McDonald and Allen County Commissioners Linda Bloom, Nelson Peters and Bill Brown will recognize area businesses for their 2006 contributions to Allen County'€™s economic vitality at the 13th annual Business Expansion Awards Breakfast. The event, sponsored by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 10 at Ceruti'€™s Summit Park, 6601 Innovation Blvd.

Business Expansion Awards will be presented to 82 businesses. The award-winning companies announced over $176 million in new investments in 2006. These projects will retain over 10,000 employees and create more than 1,100 jobs.

“This is a great opportunity for local government to recognize the tremendous efforts companies are making to improve our area economy,” said Mayor Richard. “We are building a better community that will be more competitive in attracting and retaining jobs and businesses.”