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Kosciusko County approves community event grants, $10,000 for fairgrounds water and restroom
Summary
At a Kosciusko County grant meeting, commissioners approved multiple small-event grants (including $500 awards for the Old Fashioned Christmas and a Ball State concert) and a $10,000 tourism sponsorship to install water access and plan an accessible restroom at the fairgrounds; recipients must appear on the county website before funds are released.
Kosciusko County grant reviewers approved a slate of community and tourism grants this meeting, including small awards for seasonal events and a $10,000 sponsorship for water access and a future handicap restroom at the fairgrounds.
Sally Mankin, representing Chautauqua Waussee, asked the board to support two events: the Old Fashioned Christmas (a free family event she said drew large crowds last year) and a Ball State singers performance. "The old fashioned Christmas ... is probably one of the most anticipated of our events throughout the year," Mankin said, and she asked for $500 for that event and $500 for the Ball State concert. The board voted to approve both $500 grants.
A representative of Echoes of the Past requested $500 for a half-page advertisement in the Farm Collector Show Directory and described the tractor show’s reach: "We had 223 registered participants," the presenter said, adding that roughly 47% of participants were in-county and 10% were from out of state. The board approved the $500 publicity grant.
Echoes of the Past also sought $10,000 to bring water to event grounds and to advance a future, permanent handicap-accessible restroom. The presenter said porta-potties are currently used and that permanent water and restrooms would improve safety and sanitation for attendees; the board approved the $10,000 sponsorship after discussing other donations the organization has received and the project’s estimated total costs.
Board members noted a procedural requirement before disbursing grant funds: recipients must be listed in the county brochure or on the county website. Unidentified Speaker 1 said the county will begin placing awarded grants on its website and that groups should expect funds only after that listing requirement is met.
The approvals are intended to support local tourism, help nonprofit programming, and encourage out-of-county visitation during festival weekends. The board did not specify disbursement dates beyond the website-listing condition.
