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Commission funds lakes and streams monitoring: $35,000 approved for Grace College center project
Summary
After discussion about project scale and funder mix, the visitor commission approved $35,000 for the Center for Lakes and Streams to support lake-health monitoring and public-safety communications for next summer.
The visitor commission approved a $35,000 grant to the Grace College Center for Lakes and Streams to support a countywide lake‑health project aimed at monitoring algal toxins and E. coli and sharing safety information with visitors for the 2026 season.
Center staff told the commission they had requested $45,000 (about 15% of the total project budget) but, after consulting funders and stakeholders, supported a reduced award from the visitor commission. The total regional project budget is roughly $370,000; Grace said it had asked the City of Warsaw to increase its contribution to $60,000 because Warsaw’s mayor values the work for city lakes. Center staff said the requested funds would cover monitoring and public‑health work on the 16 most‑used lakes in the county.
Commission members discussed past funding levels: the commission provided $30,000 for the program in the current year. Several board members said they supported the center’s work because lake quality drives tourism, economic activity and lodging demand; one board member described the center’s data and weekly updates as a competitive advantage that supports real‑estate marketing and hotel stays.
On a motion and second, the commission approved a $35,000 grant (a compromise figure discussed during the meeting). The approved award is a reimbursement grant and will be processed per the commission’s standard procedures.
