Kosciusko County tourism commission approves several reimbursement grants, approves agreements and reviews finances
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Summary
The Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau Commission approved meeting minutes and claims, signed interlocal agreements and approved reimbursement grants including $500 to Oakwood Foundation, $4,000 to the Optimist Triathlon, $10,000 to Magical Meadows and two $4,500 awards split for upcoming promotions. Commissioners reviewed financials and the county’s rising innkeeper-tax receipts.
At its regular meeting, the Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau Commission approved routine minutes and claims, signed annual interlocal agreements and approved several reimbursement grants to local events and nonprofits.
The meeting opened with approval of the Sept. 10 minutes and a printed list of claims totaling $77,538.63. Melissa, who presented the financials, said claims paid to date were $249,641.28 and that the commission’s cash balance after a previously approved appropriation stood at $1,054,388.83. "I have everybody is up to date," Melissa said of innkeeper-tax collections, and she offered to resend the collection reports to any member who did not receive them.
The commission approved an interlocal agreement with county partners and renewed annual service agreements with the CCAC and the CVD, following motions to approve those agreements. Commissioners also adopted the proposed meeting dates for the coming year.
Grant decisions were a central part of the agenda. The Oakwood Foundation asked for a $500 promotion grant for its "Old Fashioned Christmas" event. Mark, speaking for the applicant, said the event typically draws about 1,200 attendees and supports local restaurants and lodging. The commission moved and approved the $500 award.
A representative of the Optimist Triathlon reported bringing roughly 250 visitors to the community and said the organization keeps about 85% of its spending within Northern Indiana. The triathlon requested $6,000 for 2026 promotion but commissioners moved to award $4,000 on a reimbursement basis, citing budget constraints and the need to avoid negative appropriations. The commission voted to approve $4,000.
Magical Meadows sought $10,000 to support marketing for a capital expansion that the presenter described as a roughly $2.3 million project that would add two year-round indoor riding arenas. The presenter said the campaign has secured about $1,250,000 to date. The commission approved the full $10,000 request; the record shows the vote as four in favor and one opposed.
Several groups sought funds for public-art projects and a planned FreedomFest 250 celebration. Sandy Hatcher, representing the FreedomFest committee, requested $13,900 for outside-the-county billboard and radio promotion to attract visitors for a three-day June festival. With limited available appropriations remaining for the year (commission staff cited approximately $9,492 available), members elected to split those remaining funds and approved two separate reimbursement awards of $4,500 apiece to two applicants (one tied to the arts/promotion work and one to FreedomFest promotion). Commissioners emphasized collaboration and asked applicants to coordinate marketing so funds are used efficiently.
Park and CCAC staff reported on recent programming and tournaments, including a Toys for Tots tournament that raised an estimated $32,000, ongoing indoor and outdoor sports schedules and efforts to funnel visiting teams to participating hotels and restaurants. The commission’s treasurer reported innkeeper-tax receipts through October at $805,000 for the year (up from $725,000 in the prior year), and noted an ending cash balance roughly in the $1.0 million range to support future grants.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of Sept. 10 minutes — passed (unanimous) - Approval of claims ($77,538.63) — passed (unanimous) - Interlocal and annual CCAC/CVD agreements — passed (unanimous) - Oakwood Foundation promotion grant — $500 approved (unanimous) - Optimist Triathlon promotion reimbursement — $4,000 approved (motion/second recorded) - Magical Meadows marketing grant — $10,000 approved (vote recorded 4–1) - Split of remaining promotional funds — two reimbursement awards of $4,500 each approved (motion/second recorded)
The commission closed by reminding recipients that these awards are reimbursement grants unless otherwise indicated and by noting the commission’s limited remaining appropriation for the fiscal year. The meeting adjourned with a group photo and signage activity scheduled with the CCAC.
