Kosciusko County panel approves multiple event grants, asks for stronger budgets and receipts

The Kosciusko County Tourism Commission on July 14 awarded grants to a string of local events and nonprofits but repeatedly pressed applicants to provide clearer, itemized budgets and visitor-tracking data before receiving funds.

Chair opened the meeting and led the board through a slate of grant presentations. A presenter for the Dixie Stern Wheeler described plans for themed boat cruises — including a pirate battle on Aug. 15, a dog-paddle event Aug. 22 and a late‑night lunar‑eclipse cruise Aug. 27 — and said the organization would like county support for materials and event promotion. Commissioners noted a discrepancy between the amount on the submitted form and the backup notes and asked for a line‑item estimate. "When we give a grant, we've got to know where the money is going," the Chair said, pressing for specific estimates and invoices. The board tabled that request until September pending a full, itemized proposal.

Grace College’s Troy Phillips asked for support for two "Lake Days" weekends of free boat tours and community programming. He told the commission the events were already generating demand and that about 150 people per weekend were expected. The board voted to approve that request; the presenter said the grant would be reimbursable and that a web reservation system would capture basic hometown data for tracking.

Marla Schroeder, board president of Los Baros, requested funding for a three‑day childhood‑trauma conference in November. Schroeder said the conference has grown (she estimated about 100 out‑of‑town attendees who stayed in local hotels in prior years) and that a donor had committed $15,000 toward marketing. Commissioners pushed back on the size of the request relative to the organization's cash reserves and asked for clarity on printing and outreach expenses. The board approved a $5,000 reimbursable award for the conference.

Sandy, representing World Compassion Network, sought funding for a Sept. 11 pickleball tournament that she said drew nearly 270 players last year and included a substantial portion of out‑of‑county participants. The commission approved the requested advertising budget (radio and targeted social media) and noted the award would be reimbursable.

The commission also approved a request from MLCIA for a holiday concert featuring Susie McIntyre. The presenter listed advertising line items, including a $1,000 placement and $4,500 in radio spots; one commissioner abstained from that vote.

Throughout the presentations, county staff and commissioners emphasized two recurring requirements: (1) grants are matched to invoices upon reimbursement unless a board-approved advance is specified (the commission said it can approve up to 50% in advance in some cases), and (2) applicants should supply evidence of out‑of‑county impact when funds are requested for tourism-related marketing. The CVB offered to provide geofenced visitor‑origin data on request to support future grant filings.

Next steps: applicants whose awards were approved will submit invoices and receipts for reimbursement. The Dixie Stern Wheeler request was tabled until September pending a more detailed budget.

Votes at a glance: Grace College Lake Days — motion passed by voice vote; Los Baros childhood trauma conference — $5,000 approved (reimbursable); World Compassion Network pickleball tournament — approved (reimbursable); MLCIA Susie McIntyre concert — approved (one abstention noted); Dixie Stern Wheeler — tabled pending itemized budget.