Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry has appointed a 13-member committee to help spread the word of commercial opportunities in the area around Southtown Centre in southeast Fort Wayne.

Members of the group are drawn from businesses, churches and civic groups.

“This is a dynamic, action-oriented group of people,” Henry said. “I look forward to working with the committee and thank its members for their willingness to serve.”

The Southtown Area Advisory Committee includes representatives from the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, the Southside Business Group, private business owners, the Southeast Strategy Advisory Committee, key area churches and community leaders. Business owners Ted Williams and John Dortch are co-chairs of the committee. City Councilman Glynn Hines, D-6th, is also a member of the group.

The committee will serve as a sounding board for the city concerning potential development opportunities in the area. Members of the group will also encourage additional private investment there.

The mayor said one of the committee's goals is to help ensure the sustainability of the Regional Public Safety Academy at Southtown Centre.

Henry said 350 to 400 people use the academy on a typical day, but he would like to see other community groups - beyond students and public-safety workers - use the facilities available there, too.

The mayor's executive order creating the advisory committee authorizes it to function for two years.

After that, the mayor can reauthorize it for another period.

If after two years action to reauthorize the committee is not taken, the executive order will expire.