The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 8, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 February 1986 — Page 26

Today And Tomorrow —Wed., Feb. 19,1986

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TO BE BUSY WITH SWIMMERS — This is the site where next summer there will be a public swimming beach at the North Webster Public Beach site. Work will begin this winter to place material on the ice for the creation of a swimming area. The beach area will be 100 feet of the 400-foot of lake frontage available at the site. The rest of the frontage will be used for a fishing pier, handicapped accessible, and docking of the Dixie Boat. The purchase of Dixie Haven was completed in November 1985 after five years of planning and fund-raising. The community of North Webster raised |IOO,OOO and a SIOO,OOO matching grant was received from the government This was one of several projects, undertaken by the North Webster/Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce.

North Webster/Tippy C of C seeks to encourage expansion

North Webster/Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce, now entering its third year, has the objective to encourage more North Webster firms to expand, thus > expanding the entire North Webster economic climate. Even though North Webster is a recreational spot for the summer months, the community leaders are aggressively trying to establish more of a stable market for the business community from which to draw and make its profit. This, in turn, will allow the taxes paid by the residential community to maintain themselves at today’s rate. Through the efforts of volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Board of North Webster, 1985 saw many positive things for the community. In order for North Webster to maintain its population and to consider compatible growth, the community needed to address the issue of industrial development. Through the cooperative efforts of the town board, the chamber of commerce, and the Kosciusko Development, Inc., an industrial development program was begun in 1985 and will continue in 1986. The past year saw the rezoning of approximately 50 acres to industrial zoning in hopes that an industrial park for the town of North Webster would be started. Even though no groundbreaking took place, the town did see local industries undertake massive expansions. Local industries undertaking massive expansions during the last several years include the following: Northeast Lindsay Water Service, enlarged its operation in 1985 allowing the business to move its corporate offices to North Webster. J.C. Manufacturing has extended its plant by 300 feet for additional building space plus adding a new lunch room and upholstery area. Pizza 2 Pizzaria remodeled its business. The most recent expansion is that of Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware which is moving from its location downtown North Webster to the old Lancelot Lounge following extensive remodeling. Heater’s, a division of Lyall Electric, expanded at its current site on Backwater Road. This expansion constitutes over 35,000 square feet of additional manufacturing facility and will be creating a total of 75 new jobs. These new jobs should generate a total of over $1 million in additional retail market sales in building materials, new cars, furniture, general merchandise, apparel and accessories, food and eating and drinking places. In addition, this expansion will expand the market to allow five additional retail establishments the opportunity to locate in this community. This expansion will provide a base for an additional population growth of approximately 150 people which will in turn create approximately 40 additional

school-age children added to the school roles. Other Projects The North Webster Beach \ project is another area undertaken by the chamber. The total project was $200,000 with the community contributing SIOO,OOO and a federal matching grant of SIOO,OOO. Through the efforts of the chamber and the International Palace of Sports the beach project became a reality in November. The chamber instituted and still promotes Community Pride a program which the chamber tries to talk and work with people and businesses to clean-up and spruce up the town and township. John Cripe, 1985 president of the chamber, stated most of the chamber members wear several hats and are involved in the Lions, and the Palace of Sports in addition to the chamber. Yet, with all the various other activities members of the club were active in entering a float for the Mermaid Festival placing third in 1985; bringing Santa Claus to town, and providing visitors with a tourist information center which was opened in 1985. The chamber members are joining forces with the Lions Club and the International Palace of sports, along with numerous other area clubs for a continual promotion of the Annual Mermaid Parade and Festival. The Mermaid Festival, North Webster’s claim to fame, features one of the biggest parades in the state. The town was able to join Kosciusko Development Inc., with the help of a donation by the chamber of commerce and because of this cooperation there was a rise in tourism income to the retail market in North Webster. The Palace of Sports Museum was the stop for seven of 19 bus tours visiting the county this past summer. North Webster was targeted as a town visited in the Northeastern Indiana Regional Familiarization Tour. This bus tour represented travel writers from throughout the midwest. These travel writers then syndicate articles and submit them to various publications throughout the country. It is not yet know the impact that this exposure will have upon the community. A brochure for tourism was published in 1985 and continued over into 1985. This brochure, which is being discussed for 1986, is an effort by the chamber to have the area recognized and with state-wide recognition, North Webster will be able to show its special activities and small business operations. Currently John Cripe reigns as president, but will step down from the position at the group’s annual business meeting to elect new officers this month. Bob Merchant, 1985 vice president, will move up into the presidency for the new year. The spot for vice president, secretary and treasurer will be open for elections.

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