Pictured, from left, are Grace College President Dr. Drew Flamm, Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger, and OrthoWorx CEO Bob Vitoux. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — Community members discussed the importance of investing in infrastructure within Kosciusko County during the ninth annual Barn and Business Breakfast on Tuesday, March 4.

The event was held at Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake and hosted by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce and Kosciusko County Farm Bureau.

A Q&A panel was held, with panelists including Kosciusko County Commissioner Cary Groninger, Grace College & Seminary President Dr. Drew Flamm and OrthoWorx CEO Bob Vitoux.

Vitoux was asked about OrthoWorx serving as the steward for a $30 million grant for the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative, which is designed to attract talent and retain and expand the orthopedic device industry in Indiana.

Vitoux said Rep. Craig Snow and Sen. Ryan Mishler instigated the county receiving those funds from the state’s Budget Committee. Snow had expressed concerns to former Governor Eric Holcomb about orthopedic companies potentially leaving Kosciusko County.

“As we like to say, we now have 30 million reasons for people to care about what’s going on in our community,” said Vitoux. “We’re interested in trying to put things in place that beautify and upgrade our community in a way our next generation of workforce are attracted to stay in our community.”

These proposals include additional housing, Grace College’s Catalyst Corridor, and redevelopment of the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

Groninger said Kosciusko County as a whole will benefit from the OIRI funds, with some of the monies being set aside for the county’s small towns. The K21 Health Foundation will help the county’s 14 smaller communities in applying for grants toward amenities projects, with a maximum award amount of $500,000.

“We’ve been working really extensively over the last three years with our small communities on how to really increase their quality of life,” said Groninger.

With funding, Flamm discussed Grace College receiving a $27 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its College and Community Collaboration.

“What we are supporting is things that support both the college and community,” said Flamm. “We’re looking at … a new business innovation center for Grace and the community, well-being initiatives … partnering with the YMCA on utilizing our facilities and making them more community-focused than they already are now.”

Flamm also said the funds would be used for making the space between Warsaw and Winona Lake more connected.

Groninger was asked about the future establishment of a parking garage in downtown Warsaw. He emphasized the importance of a parking garage and how it would free up current surface lots in that area. Groninger also said additional parking would further promote more downtown living and outdoor dining options.

“Parking garages are a lot like most infrastructure projects,” said Groninger. “People might curl up their nose and say that’s not very exciting. But infrastructure projects are critical for everyday quality-of-life living in our community. There’s a lot of possibilities a parking garage would add to our downtown and although it may not be directly exciting, the things that it allows to come into our community will be exciting.”

Vitoux discussed the purchase of the Warsaw Chemical properties on Argonne Road and how OIRI dollars would be used toward a project there.

“The concept is to bring together the schools, Grace College, and the orthopedic industry into the mix,” said Vitoux.

An orthopedic innovation center, which would include co-working space, shared space and start-up space for the orthopedic industry, is being considered at the former Warsaw Chemical facility.

Following the panel, a new platform called “All IN Kosciusko” was revealed with an announcement video. The platform, which will be dedicated to sharing stories, projects and partnerships shaping Kosciusko County’s future, will launch on April 4.

The Barn and Business Breakfast also started with a prayer by Groninger in honor of Kosciusko County Council Member Mike Long, who passed away on Feb. 27.

“Mike was a friend,” said Groninger. “I’ve served with him on the drainage board and multiple other things in our community. It’s a tragic loss. He was a spokesman for the farm and ag community in county government.”