The 2014 Indiana Republican Party state convention will, for the first time ever, be held in Fort Wayne.

The announcement was made Monday and Allen County Republican Chairman Steve Shine told WPTA 21 Alive that it’s the first time in history the GOP State Convention is not being held in Indianapolis. The Grand Wayne Center in downtown Fort Wayne will serve as the venue.

“It’s not only a compliment to Allen County Republicans, but also to the venue that we have here in Fort Wayne. We are rapidly becoming a leader in venues for conventions across the Midwest, and this is a testament to the fact that Fort Wayne ranks right up there at the top of the list,” Shine told the TV station.

Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Randy Girod, said about the move to Fort Wayne, “I’m pleased to see they’re moving it around (the state) so other cities can have the benefit of hosting and local merchants and vendors can benefit; I think it’s a good idea to share the wealth.” Girod added, “The Grand Wayne Center is unbelievable and amazing and in my opinion the perfect place for it.”

Although Girod said the distance to Indianapolis has not typically been an issue for county Republicans to attend the state convention, the convenience of it being closer to home is a welcome benefit.

Former Warsaw Common Councilman Kyle Babcock, who serves as the treasurer of the state’s Republican party 3rd Congressional District, is on the host committee for the convention. He said the 2014 event will take place the first week of June 2014 and plans are in the works to have a well-known national speaker at the convention. “We’re also raising $250,000 to help subsidize travel expenses for delegates around the state to attend,” said Babcock.

There are also plans to have some kind of entertainment at the convention, and perhaps even have the host facility for that to be at Parkview Field, home of the Fort Wayne Tin Caps.

Three state offices will be filled during the 2014 convention. Those, according to Babcock, will be for secretary of state (currently held by Connie Lawson), state auditor (currently Tim Berry) and state treasurer (currently held by Richard Mourdock.)

The convention is expected to attract 2,000 people and bring in approximately half a million dollars to the city.