With assistance from the St. Joseph County Hotel-Motel Tax Board, Visit South Bend Mishawaka (VSBM) announced $500,000 in funding to benefit the advancement of St. Joseph County (SJC) as a tourism destination. Funded projects will improve visitor experience by providing critical assistance toward tourism product development. This $500,000 investment in tourism product will result in an overall investment of over $3 million to the destination.

The Tourism Capital Development Fund is in its third year and continues to grow, helping to fund seven projects in 2020:
• Acting Ensemble ($7,000): renovation and completion of a new facility in Mishawaka

• Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail ($43,000): wayfinding signage development

• Mishawaka Historical Museum ($25,000): completion of building renovation and opening of facility

• Mishawaka Parks Department ($25,000): Twin Branch Pickleball Courts

• Newton Park ($100,000): expansion of basement and softball diamonds

• Shirley Heinze Land Trust ($75,000): development of publicly accessible trailhead amenities at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve

• South Bend VPA ($75,000): continuation of River Lights installation

• St. Joseph County Fairgrounds ($25,000): Wi-Fi improvements

• Studebaker National Museum ($25,000): Studebaker Design Studio exhibition improvements and atrium enhancements

• 933 Corridor Improvement Association ($100,000): construction of trail connector project between Angela and Saint Mary’s campus

“The TCDF is a great initiative that truly impacts our entire destination. This new product will enable VSBM to promote even more reasons for visitors to come experience St. Joseph County, and ideally impact our economy while visiting,” said Rob DeCleene, VSBM executive director.