FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Transformational project funding recommendations now move to IEDC for final approval
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (September 22, 2017) — Last week, the Board of the Regional Development Authority (RDA) for the South Bend-Elkhart region in North Central Indiana met to consider requests for Regional Cities Initiative funding.
The RDA is responsible for disbursement of $1.864 million in remaining Regional Cities Initiative (RCI) grant money that became available for re-allocation in July 2017. This $1.864 million is a portion of the original $42 million awarded to the Innovate Indiana plan submitted by the South Bend – Elkhart Region (Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties) in late 2015.
During the meeting, all 12 project applications received were discussed and evaluated based on the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and RDA criteria for the Regional Cities Initiative. RDA Board members voted to award funding to the following projects across the region:
South Bend Chocolate/Indiana Dinosaur Museum Destination
The South Bend Chocolate/Indiana Dinosaur Museum Destination project will create a year-round, one-of-a kind education and experiential attraction for the South Bend – Elkhart region and the State of Indiana. The project features several attractions, including a Chocolate Factory Experience, the Indiana Dinosaur Museum (the largest interactive kid-centric in the Midwest), a Conservation Trail and development sites for two hotels. The project will attract 150,000 to 250,000 visitors annually and create144 direct new jobs and support 353 jobs.
– RDA Allocation: $500,000
Potawatomi Zoo Front Entry
The Potawatomi Zoo is embarking on an ambitious 10 year, $37 million Master Plan with the goal of enhancing the visitor experience, upgrading infrastructure in our 100+ year old facility, and positioning the zoo as a major community asset and regional attraction. With the support of the RCNI, the Zoo’s Front Entry Plan will improve this unique regional asset, in order to better serve the community, as well as enhancing the Zoo’s status as a unique economic driver for the area.
– RDA Allocation: $450,000
REES Theater Restoration
Restoration of the REES Theatre into a multi-purpose event center will not only create a vital activity center in historic downtown Plymouth, but serve the entire South Bend – Elkhart Region by hosting entertainment, receptions, conferences, as well as film events at a unique venue, part of a coherent overall central business district revitalization plan.
– RDA Allocation: $300,000
Millrace Multi-Use Pavilion
Construction of a city owned, open-air multi-use pavilion on the west side of the Millrace Canal on a 9-acre former brownfield site that is now open greenspace adjacent to one of the City’s busiest greenways, just blocks from downtown Goshen. The venue will serve the community year-round as a covered ice skating facility in the winter months and a gathering place to hold events and activities throughout the remainder of the year. The City’s Park & Recreational Department will manage the facility and the space will provide an opportunity for growth of the many programs and events that the Parks’ Department already offers.
– RDA Allocation: $300,000
Ironworks Phase II
Beutter Park Phase II, which includes construction of a Garden Café, sculpture skating rink/path, restrooms, maintenance building, bridge lighting, pavilions, parking, and utility improvements will spur two private mixed use housing developments: Riverwalk Apartments and the Townes at Kamm Island Phase II. Together, these three projects represent a $22.3M investment in downtown Mishawaka. RCI funds will be directed toward the $7.1M Beutter Park Phase II project.
– RDA Allocation: $114,000
Community of WaNee Vision 2020
This partnership has been formed to create a vibrant community for all ages in Nappanee, including a premier soccer field, a brand-new Boys & Girls Club, expanded social services provided by the Family Christian Development Center, expanded elderly services, and the creation of an additional public parking lot. Through this joint project the impact on the community will be magnified and have a greater benefit on the community as a whole. Community leaders have come together that will address the needs of the entire community to create a healthy, vibrant community that will have the potential to attract new residents and visitors.
– RDA Allocation: $100,000
Boys & Girls Club Marshall County
To provide a safe-haven after school for all children in Marshall County to attend. The Boys & Girls Club Marshall County project began with tearing down the dilapidated old restaurant building that was converted to a Club 20+ years ago. The new Clubhouse consists of two stories at approximately 12,000 square foot with the Teen Center located on the upper level. The new Clubhouse will be dedicated to innovative new programming and will be energy and resource efficient. The two-story facility will provide safe, attractive, supervised and accessible spaces for youth. The Boys & Girls Club program space will be designed to provide youth in the community with age-appropriate youth development programming that is aimed at helping today’s youth to develop their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
– RDA Allocation: $100,000
About the Regional Development Authority (RDA)
The Regional Development Authority (RDA), comprised of a five-member board representing Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties, is guided by the Smart Connected Communities plan produced in 2015 for the Regional Cities Initiative and works to advance economic development projects of regional importance.
Board members include: John DeSalle, Chair, President of Hoosier Racing Tire Corp., Kristin Pruitt, Vice Chair, Vice President and General Counsel of Lakeland Financial Corp., Dallas Bergl, Secretary-Treasurer, President & CEO of INOVA Federal Credit Union, Pete McCown, Member, President of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, and John Affleck-Graves, Member, Executive Vice President, University of Notre Dame.
About the Regional Cities Initiative (South Bend – Elkhart Region)
The Regional Cities Initiative represented over half a million people in 22 interconnected cities and towns in Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties. The group consists of and leverages the collective experience and services of the South Bend – Elkhart Region’s leading business, academic, philanthropic and government leaders to support transformational economic development projects and strategic initiatives that will improve quality of life and spur population growth.
The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, which helped lead the effort to secure the $42 million Regional Cities grant for the South Bend – Elkhart Region also serves as the administrator for the RDA. southbendelkhart.org
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Media Contacts:
Regional Development Authority
Regina Emberton, South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership, (574) 400-5432, remberton@southbendelkhart.org
South Bend Chocolate/Indiana Dinosaur Museum Destination
Mark Tarner, South Bend Chocolate Company, (317) 236-2185, mtarner@sbchocolate.com
Potawatomi Zoo Front Entry
Marcy Dean, Potawatomi Zoo, (574) 340-4090, mdean@potawatomizoo.org
REES Theater Restoration
Randy Danielson, Rees Project Committee, (574) 936-2829, randy@johnson-danielson.com
Millrace Multi-Use Pavilion
Becky Hershberger, City of Goshen, (574) 533-3579, beckyhershberger@goshencity.com
Ironworks Phase II
Kenneth B. Prince, City of Mishawaka, (574) 258-1625, kprince@mishawaka.in.gov
Community of WaNee Vision 2020
Kevin Deary, Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County, (574) 534-5933, kdeary@bgcelkhartcounty.org
Boys & Girls Club Marshall County
Billie Treber, Boys & Girls Clubs of Marshall County, (574) 936-0660, billiet@bgcmarshallcounty.com