KCCRVC approves multiple reimbursement grants, allocates funds to arts, sports and downtown events

The Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau voted to approve multiple reimbursement grants for local tourism and community projects and to set a small budget for a KCCRVC logo and an updated reimbursement window.

The commission approved requests that include funding for the Dixie sternwheeler preservation, repairs at the Casasco Community Fairgrounds Shrine Building, new portable pitching mounds for the CCAC baseball complex, three promotional grants to Chautauqua Wawasee, and a partial grant for Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts parking-lot repairs. It also approved a $10,000 allocation for hotel gift-certificate incentives tied to a Grace College visitor initiative and a grant for downtown Warsaw event infrastructure after a modified vote.

The grants are reimbursement-based: recipients must spend funds and then submit receipts for reimbursement. The commission reiterated that applicants must follow the reimbursement timeline in the grant application (the board later clarified the timing language — see separate article on rules). Commission staff also authorized up to $1,000 from administration funds to commission professional logo options for KCCRVC.

Key approved items and immediate details

- Dixie's Sternwheeler (Dixie Sternwheeler Incorporated): The commission approved a reimbursement grant to support repairs and preservation work for the 96-year-old sternwheeler. The applicant, Bob Daley, identified himself as “president of Dixie's Turnwheel Incorporated.” The commission recorded a motion, second and an affirmative vote; the grant is reimbursement-based and the commission asked the applicant to provide recognition language and a receipt for KCCRVC funding.

- Casasco Community Fairgrounds (Shrine Building): Kevin Harris requested funds to replace flooring and acoustical ceiling tiles to support rentals and events. Commissioners moved and seconded a grant award; the motion carried after discussion. The commission noted the grant is reimbursement-only and asked the grantee to provide recognition and documentation when submitting for reimbursement.

- CCAC (baseball complex): The commission approved a grant to buy eight portable pitching mounds to support baseball tournaments and community rentals. The applicant emphasized the mounds would reduce setup time and improve tournament hosting capacity.

- Chautauqua Wawasee: The commission approved three small promotional grants for the Wawasee Fine Arts Fair, a plain-air painting component and advertising to reach regional audiences.

- Grace College (visitor center/welcome hub): The commission approved $10,000 specifically to fund local hotel gift-certificate incentives tied to Grace College’s new welcome center and an equipment/rental hub aimed at increasing overnight stays among prospective students and visitors. Commissioners discussed how the certificates would be issued via hotel coupon codes and reimbursed to hotels when used.

- Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts (parking lot paving): The commission approved a partial award to cover roughly half of phase 1 paving work — $40,007.50 — to repair heavily deteriorated paving in front of the theater. Wagon Wheel representatives said phase 1 was needed to ensure safe patron access and could be completed before the summer season pending vendor and weather availability. The award is reimbursement-based; Wagon Wheel said it would pursue additional donors and grants to complete the remaining work.

- Downtown Warsaw/Main Street events infrastructure and marketing: After initial debate and an initial tie vote on a larger amount, the commission approved a modified $20,000 allocation to help implement components of the newly released 2030 downtown strategic plan (marketing/out-of-market promotion and event infrastructure such as street anchors). The allocation is intended to support three events this year — Dinner en Blanc, Duck, Cluck & Harvest Festival, and a fall fashion weekend — and to pair with hotel packages intended to increase overnight stays.

How reimbursements and recognition will work

Commission staff reminded applicants that grants are reimbursement-only; applicants must incur costs, provide receipts and follow reimbursement timelines. The board also directed staff to make recognition explicit in the reimbursement packet and in grant language (photo of signage or receipt showing KCCRVC recognition is required for reimbursement). The commission voted separately to clarify the reimbursement timing language on the application (see procedural article).

What the commission said about priorities and budget

KCCRVC staff told the board that the year’s grant budget is $245,000 and that this meeting’s approvals consume a portion of that allocation; staff also said there is a process to request an additional appropriation later in the year if needed. Commissioners emphasized that grants should show measurable tourism impact (overnight stays, event attendance) and that partial awards may be made when funds are oversubscribed.

Next steps and documentation

All grant recipients must submit documentation to commission staff for reimbursement. The board also authorized staff to commission professional logo options (up to $1,000) and to return logo candidates for board approval. The commission said it will confirm recognition language and signage requirements in the grant terms and will post the updated reimbursement timing language on the application form.

Ending: The commission adjourned after finalizing allocations and administrative items; staff will follow up with grantees on reimbursement instructions and with the board on a logo recommendation at the next meeting.