WARSAW — Warsaw officials have been lobbying for years for a specific site for construction of a VA clinic, and on Monday, one official said they’re eyeing a location on CR 200N near Parkview Kosciusko Hospital.

Efforts to bring a VA clinic to Warsw have been underway for several years, and Jeremy Skinner, director of community & economic development, said Monday they found an entity that agreed to place it adjacent to other recently constructed medical offices along CR 200N.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has increasingly relied on the use of third-party entities for construction projects.

Skinnner said they've been lobbying for that property because of its proximity to Parkview, Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital and US 30.

Skinner brought up the issue Monday at a city redevelopment commission meeting and said they are working on a memo of understanding that would be part of a sale of the land from Parkview Health to an unidentified LLC.

The clinic is expected to be about 16,000 square feet, and Skinner said they hope construction could begin this year or next.

The project is expected to cost roughly seven to eight million dollars, and Skinner said the city is ready to provide $1 million to cover some of the development costs.

Neither the MOU nor the financial transaction has been approved by the city, but Skinner addressed the rationale on Monday.

"When you think about the benefit that this will offer all of the veterans in Kosciusko County, people who have served our country, giving them easy access to the health care that they need in a shorter distance, a shorter travel ... that's definitely worth the city's participation," Skinner said.

He was also asked if the plan would come together if not for the city's financial support.

"They' ve been trying to put on (in Warsaw) for the last five years," Skinner said. "Does this help get it done? I think so, yes."

Money for the project would come from one of several tax increment finance funds controlled by the city.

The post City of Warsaw working to facilitate construction of VA clinic on CR 200N with $1 million contribution appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Autocam Medical CEO John C. Kennedy was so enamored with Warsaw's orthopedic workforce that his company reached out to Medtronic two days after the Warsaw company announced plans to move its Warsaw operations elsewhere.

They wanted to acquire the Medtronic plant along US 30, and even though that plan fell through, it gave the Kentwood, Mich., company a foot in the door. 

Autocam has been using space inside Medtronic's US 30 facility in the Warsaw Technology Park for roughly two years and has seen firsthand the type of workers they can attract.

"There's a unique culture here that I can sense that is very serious about manufacturing high-quality projects," Kennedy said Thursday at a groundbreaking for its future plant just west of the Medtronic property that he had earlier sought to acquire.

"It's unbelievable the amount of interest we get," Kennedy said. "We've had some ads we've run, and we'll get 100 applicants coming out of the Warsaw area, and these are good people."

"These are people that have CNC machining experience that we're looking for — very high caliber workforce here, and we have not seen that anywhere else in the country," Kennedy added.

Autocam Medical manufactures precision-machined surgical implants, instruments and components for the orthopedic industry.

Heavy machinery is already on-site, doing initial work ahead of the construction of a $70 million, 100,000-square-foot plant that will be home to 300 good-paying jobs.

City leaders are just as happy about Autocam's decision to expand in Warsaw.

The company is known for its training assistance and apprenticeships in the Grand Rapids area, and Kennedy said he has already talked with Kosciusko County Ivy Tech about similar training support.

City Council President Jack Wihite said he sees a parallel between Autocam and a company he spent much of his career with — Biomet.

"It appears that they are very much an on-the-job training company that also promotes from within as much as they can and helps get their employees the training and education they need to grow," Wilhite said.

"I find that very exciting for our young folks. In this day and age, when college is so expensive ... This is an opportunity for people to get a job, start to grow without having to put out a bunch of money up front and learn as they grow," Wilhite said.

It's also another chapter in the growing technology park that was launched roughly ten years ago by Jeremy Skinner, the city's director of community and economic development, who works closely with the city redevelopment commission.

Since its opening, the city has invested about $5 million in infrastructure into the park, while companies have added about $100 million in private investment.

That has spurred 555 new jobs in the park with an annual payroll of about $36 million.

"Today, we're here to start a great partnership with Auctocam Medical, and excited to see their new investment, 100,000 square feet," that will be added to the (existing) 510,000  (square feet), Skinner said.

Koscciusko County Economic Development Executive Director Peggy Friday recalled the day she met with Autocam officials about their intentions.

As it turns out, it was just hours after she and other officials learned about Slate Auto's plans to revamp the old RR Donnelley and Sons plant west of Warsaw for a future electric pickup truck manufacturing plant that will result in 1,900 new jobs.

After that discussion, Friday said she hopped in a car to meet with Autocam officials.

"We always remember where we were and what we were doing when something special happens," Friday said.

"We're really thrilled," Friday said. "It's projects like this that keep us as the orthopedic capital ... Thank you so much for investing in Warsaw."

Construction of the new plant is expected to be complete this fall.

The post Autocam Medical appreciates Warsaw’s orthopedic workforce — already! appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Warsaw officials are offering some expectations following the announcement last week by Dalton Corporation, a foundry that’s been in the city for more than 110 years, will close.

Two things appear to be obvious about the closing: The future remains unclear, and any possible clean-up of the mammoth industrial site spanning four blocks along Jefferson Street could take many years.

Dalton's parent company, First Brands Group LLC, acquired the foundry two years ago, filed for bankruptcy late last year, and then announced shortly before the new year that about 262 workers would lose their jobs in late February.

First Brands oversees numerous foundries and is also ending operations at a similar plant in Kendallville.

Jeremy Skinner, director of community and economic development for the city, said the closing is not surprising, given the struggles in the foundry industry.

The city is expressing a willingness to assist employees as they look for new employment.

In the meantime, the city is in a state of limbo with the property as officials wait for the bankruptcy proceedings to play out, a process that could impact the property's future.

Skinner kept open the idea that the existing use, in some form, could be resurrected.

“The foundry industry is changing dramatically, and it’s not surprising that we’re here at this stage, but there are always those niche markets, and so we’ll see what happens with the bankruptcy,” Skinner said.

“If it does not come back in some form of a foundry, it will probably be redeveloped into something other than industry,” said Skinner, who, along with Mayor Jeff Grose, offered their impressions of the situation for In the Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

The prospect that the land has sustained underground contamination — if determined to be the case — would also determine what might be permitted.

Some of Dalton's leadership team have already departed and Grose said they learned of the closing in a statement at the same time workers were notified a week ago.

They expressed a belief that if the plant fully shuts down that state and federal agencies would have a role in trying to clean up the property, above and below ground.

"We don’t really know what’s going to happen, but on behalf of the city of Warsaw, Winona Lake, the county …. We need to be at the table, and we need to work through what’s best for not only Dalton, moving forward, but also the community,” Grose said.

During this week's public affairs show, Grose and Skinner also addressed other issues, including economic development topics, reconstruction of Anchorage Road and the temporary movement of city meetings to the police station training room, which will happen in February.

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

The post Warsaw leaders say uncertainty a big factor in wake of Dalton Foundry closing appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The city of Warsaw is moving quickly on one of the proposals pitched last month as officials work to establish a cultural arts district in the downtown.

On Monday — less than three weeks after the entire plan was unveiled — the city redevelopment commission approved plans to hire a firm to study the idea of establishing a festival street, which would transform part of a downtown road into a flat surface that can more easily accommodate festivals.

The redevelopment commission agreed to spend $30,000 for the study with Anderson Bohlander to look further at the concept.

The plan was pitched by Terry Sweeney, Main Street Warsaw's downtown development director, who also recapped four new programs that were launched in 2025.

Officials are currently eyeing part of North Buffalo Street as a potential location for the festival street, and the study will likely look at where it might be best to make the transformation.

Some officials have said North Detroit Street seems optimal for the project since it is near Center Lake and a proposed city-county parking garage.

The idea of a street festival is one of the biggest proposals that make up an expansive plan to add more artwork and amenities aimed at attracting more people to the downtown.

Main Street Warsaw has been studying the idea of a cultural arts district, which was fueled in part by a new Hyatt Palma Study, commissioned during former mayor Joe Thallemer's term in office.

No kind of cost estimate has been released because it's very preliminary, but officials admit it is an ambitious plan that would be costly.

Jeremy Skinner, the city's community and economic development director, talked about the vision Monday afternoon.

"Yes, there's a lot of money that would have to be found, but we can't find the money until we know what we're looking for. There's a lot of groundwork that needs to be done," Skinner said. "It's gonna take time, and it's not gonna happen overnight."

"We got a pretty good start here and a lot of good things that came out of the plan," Skinner added.

You can see the entire conversation from Monday's meeting with Sweeney's presentation at the 18:00 mark.

The post Warsaw begins work on studying festival street concept for downtown appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — What might be viewed by some as a million-dollar gamble by the city of Warsaw to revive the old Marsh property began to show promise last week as two purchase agreements started to take shape.

The city bought the land at the corner of South Buffalo and Winona Avenue several years ago in hopes of finding a grocery store or at least reversing what had become a deteriorating property.

Efforts to attract a grocery store of some kind did not materialize, and some on social media questioned the city's investment.

Last week, the city redevelopment commission reviewed contracts that will set the stage for the sale of the old Marsh building to an unnamed buyer for $1 million.

[caption id="attachment_120787" align="alignright" width="300"] Website photo from the Scooter’s Coffee website.[/caption]

At the same time, another contract is being prepared to sell the southeast corner of the parking lot to a company that plans to construct a Scooter’s Coffee drive-through shop near the corner of South Buffalo and Prairie streets. That sale price will be $225,000.

The transaction would provide a break-even situation for the city and result in coming months in a revitalized commercial area.

Jeremy Skinner, the city’s director of community and economic development, who is leading the discussions for the city in the sale, was asked if he was pleased with the new developments, which drew a chuckle: "Yes, absolutely!"

"It's been a challenge, but at the end of the day, hopefully, this will be a good spot for some retail shopping on that south side," Skinner said.

Contracts could be expected to be finalized in the next few weeks.

While the buyer of the main property has not been identified, many suspect the property will be turned into a large antique mall. The building also includes two adjoining storefronts on the north end that could be leased.

Skinner said he believes renovations to the main building probably won't be ready for nearly a year.

Major work, he said, will include the heating and cooling system. The roof, the floor, and the parking lot, plus aesthetic improvements to the interior.

“Without a doubt, it will be a substantial investment on their end,” Skinner said.

The city acquired the property less than three years ago during Mayor Joe Thallemer's tenure.

Thallmer now sits on the city redevelopment commission, which is overseeing the transaction.

“We all know how difficult retail has been, and the fact that there’s folks willing to step forward, and that this Redevelopment Commission is willing to work with them, it’s fantastic,” Thallemer said. 

“We’re basically getting back what we paid for the property at the end of the day. I feel good with where we are. Would it have been great to have a Safeway grocery store in there? Sure, but retail doesn’t seem to work like that anymore.”

Mayor Jeff Grose reflected on efforts to revive the property.

The city had worked to find a grocery store for the property, but with no luck.

"For well over a year, we spent a lot of dollars seeking a retail like that, and we were just unable to get it," Grose said. "So you pivot, move in a different direction, and wish for the good."

"At the same time, I wanna tell you that I appreciate our side of the net, trying to figure something out for the good of that building," Grose added.

The drive-thru coffee business will be yet another company specializing in coffee near the downtown.

Scooter's Coffee has stores in Mishawaka, Nappanee, Kendallville and Wabash.

Skinner said officials with the coffee shop are eager to begin construction.

The post Warsaw officials sound upbeat about $1 million gamble on Marsh property appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Eighty-six new apartments in downtown Warsaw should be ready by the time Slate Auto revs up its new electric pickup production a year from now just west of Warsaw.

That little fact was aired at Tuesday’s groundbreaking for Millworks, which will offer market-rate apartments where the Owens Supermarket once stood.

The $21 million project will feature numerous amenities, including a rooftop deck, bike storage and pet-friendly facilities.    

There will be a courtyard in the middle, angled parking around the entire development, and a restaurant on the southeast corne of the lot.

The proposal faced numerous delays, and AP Development President Jon Anderson sounded eager to see construction commence.

He spoke at Tuesday's groundbreaking as a nearby construction crew began some initial work.

"I apologize for the noise, but that's why we're here. This project will go fast now ... Once we go vertical, it will go fast, and you will see it go up quickly. We plan to be open by this time next year if not sooner," Anderson said.

When complete, the apartment complex will make the downtown feel a little bigger, says Jeremy Skinner, the city's director of community and economic development.

"Our intent was to create housing opportunities, create density, and to support our downtown. This project does those three things," Skinner said.

Expanding housing options has been a top issue that took root under former mayor Joe Thallemer and into the Jeff Grose administration, as Slate and another orthopedic manufacturer, AutoCam, announced expansion plans earlier this year.

Millworks is one of two apartment projects currently under construction. The other is Union Lofts on Jefferson near Argonne Road and Winona Avenue.

[caption id="attachment_119964" align="alignright" width="220"] Peggy Friday[/caption]

Millworks will arrive at a good time as the community works to provide housing to a fast-growing workforce.

"Slate Auto will be opening at the end of 2026 for full production, so we really want those folks to live here and be engaged ... spend those dollars here in our community rather than leave the county," said Peggy Friday, the CEO of Kosciusko County Economic Development Corp.

Anderson was complimentary of the city's support, saying officials stood out mightily against other communities the company has worked with in the past.

Likewise, city officials said they found a good partner in AP Development for the project.

Funding came from several sources, including Indiana's Regional Development Authority (for $3 million) and money from the city of Warsaw.

Mayor Jeff Grose, whose family shopped at the Owen's store decades ago, thanked various people for their support in the project but said much of the credit goes to Skinner and former Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Thallemer also attended the ceremony and reflected on the lengthy efforts behind redeveloping the property.

"The moment it became available, that was the whole thought — that it would expand our urban core ... we had a great opportunity to get it done," Thallemer said.

Thallemer also tipped his hat to Rob and Nancy Gast, who owned a beloved bike shop behind the grocery store for many years.

"They owned a nice hunk of that property and they were very excited about the project and were willing to sell the old Tarkio Road bicycle shop," Thallmer added.

[caption id="attachment_119952" align="aligncenter" width="770"] An architectural rendering of the future Millworks apartments. Artwork provided.[/caption]

The post Future apartments will help expand downtown Warsaw’s footprint appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — You don’t construct a $70 million manufacturing facility in another state without a sense of confidence, and Autocam Medical — the Grand Rapids, Mich., company that announced plans to do so in the Warsaw Tech Park — is feeling pretty good about its future in Kosciusko County.

That was apparent Monday as the city redevelopment commission took a few more steps to secure the initial deal and then talked at length about the orthopedic company’s long-term desire to potentially expand further.

Autocam officials have said they are impressed with the local workforce connected to Warsaw's orthopedic industry.

Autocam originally wanted to acquire 30 acres of land in the park, but the city opted to provide 15 acres — enough to accommodate a 100,000 square foot building designed for some 300 workers. 

On Monday, the city began working on an agreement to provide the company with an option to acquire another 18 acres next to its future plant on the southwest corner of the tech park along US.

Jeremy Skinner, the city's director of community and economic development, explained the city's rationale in not offering 30 acres in earlier talks.

"Autocam would have taken all 30 acres, but unfortunately for them, I'm not a developer. I'm a job creator," Skinner said.

The city would not be interested in selling off part of the park that wouldn't have any quick return and because it would lose control of the land, which could then lead to unforeseen uses that don't fall within he parameters of a tech park.

Under the right to first refulsal agreement, a third party can still seek to buy the land, but Autocam would have a chance to match any offer as long as they agree to certain metrics, including job creation figures with the city.

The option would be available for as long as 2040, under the terms discussed Monday.

That led to the hypothetical discussion about a potential bidding war over the adjacent property, and Skinner said later that some companies might be interested in that specific land because it sits along US 30, which is appealing to some companies.

The post Autocam Medical leaves option open for longterm expansion in Warsaw appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Autocam Medical, a fast-growing med tech company, got a taste of the Warsaw workforce after it began using part of Medtronic’s local facility, and now it wants the full entree.

[caption id="attachment_113337" align="alignright" width="420"] Above is an architectural rendering of Autocam Medical's planned facility in Warsaw. Artwork provided.[/caption]

The company announced on Monday that it plans to construct a $70 million facility in Warsaw’s tech park and will hire up to 300 people over the next few years.

The company originally got its start in the auto industry, but branched out and has become a well-established contract manufacturer of precision-machined tools and items used in orthopedics.

Autocam Medical is headquartered in Grand Rapids and also has operations in two other states.

At the same time, the company already has a strong working relationship with Medtronic and other local orthopedic companies.

The appreciation for local workers, though, began to grow after it began using a portion of Medtronic's facility as part of a long-term plan for Autocam to take the entire building while Medtronic began a planned phase-out of Warsaw.

But those plans changed after Medtronic had second thoughts and decided to stay.

[caption id="attachment_113355" align="alignright" width="168"] Kennedy[/caption]

As a result, Autocam decided to construct its own facility in Warsaw, said President and CEO John Kennedy.

Kennedy said they have come to realize the orthopedic capital of the world has become a great source of workers.

The company has other stateside operations in Plymouth, Mass., and Murfreesboro, Tenn., but the desire to expand to Warsaw began to emerge as it became more familiar with what the firm describes in its announcement as a "vibrant workforce culture."

“When we put an ad in the paper, we had very highly qualified individuals — and a lot of them — relative to what we see in other markets,” Kennedy told News Now Warsaw Monday afternoon.

“We’ve really done well with people there,” Kennedy said. “It’s certainly a great workforce and a great opportunity for us.”

The company said it plans to break ground on the project this year, but construction could take upward of 18 months.

The company says most of the jobs will be high schooled and pay well.

Those include CNC machinists, engineers, and a wide range of technical and manufacturing roles.

"At Autocam Medical’s Michigan location, the average machinist’s salary exceeds $74,000 annually, and the company is looking at similar wage levels in Warsaw," the company said.

The company has been one of the faster growing companies in the orthopedic sector, according to Kennedy.

"We're almost double the size we were, pre-COVID," Kennedy said.

The company constructed a new facility outside of Grand Rapids a few years ago and is still filling out the anticipated 300 or so positions.

Kennedy expressed appreciation for how the city of Warsaw has worked to accommodate the company's expansion plans.

He and Jeremy Skinner, the director of community and economic development for the city of Warsaw, both see the expansion as a double victory for the city.

“Medtronic staying and them needing to find a new location really worked out for us,” Skinner said. “Obviously, having the tech park and the land available (that is) shovel-ready has been huge.”

Monday's announcement was issued in a news release on Autocam's website that area media groups quickly began to highlight.

Hours later, the city's redevelopment commission, with very little fanfare, discussed Autocam and took the first step toward essentially giving the company 15 acres for the expansion at the corner of CR 200W and US 30. The land has already been appraised for  $521,000 but will be disposed of for $1, Skinner said.

Autocam mentioned in its news release a desire to be visible from US 30.

When construction is complete, Autocam and Medtronic facilities along US 30 will serve as bookmarks along the front of the tech park.

The park was established about 12 years ago. In the last eight years, the park has become home to three orthopedic firms: Banner Medical, Mentore Media and what is now known as Medartis.

Skinner said they continue to look for new opportunities to attract more firms and maybe eventually expand the park.

"We’re absolutely thinking about what’s next,” he said.

Over the years, the city has invested about $5 million into the park and has generated well over $50 million in corporate investments.

The 300 jobs with Autocam would mean the park will eventually be home to companies that employ some 800 workers.  

“The encouraging thing is the sheer amount of investment we’ve had out there based on what we’ve put out," Skinner said.

[caption id="attachment_113377" align="aligncenter" width="1044"] Above is a rendering of a new facility operated by Autocam Medical in Kentwood, Mich., just outside of Grand Rapids. Artwork provided.[/caption]

The post Autocam Medical president says he’s enthused about Warsaw workforce appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The city of Warsaw's certified technology park, originally intended to serve the orthopedic industry, will soon have another med tech-related tenant.

Jeremy Skinner, director of community and economic development for the city, who helped establish the park more than a dozen years ago, told News Now Warsaw on Tuesday that an existing orthopedic company will soon move its operations to the park along US 30.

Skinner was limited in what he could discuss, but said the company is not a new startup.

"Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, we'll make an announcement. Right now ... it will probably be around 100,000 square foot. We'll know more details in a couple weeks," Skinner said during an interview for In The Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media Radio stations.

Skinner mentioned the upcoming announcement while discussing his approach as the city works to expand the tech park.

He described the plan as a "pretty significant investment that will complement all of the other investments that we have out at the tech park, so we're excited."

He said the company will start out with about 100 employees at the new location and that that could potentially "ramp up" to about 300 within a few years.

Mayor Jeff Grose, who also participated in the radio interview, added, "Incredible — now, the burden (is) where are all these people going to live in the area?"

The pending business announcement is the latest in an eventful few months of economic development news in the county. 

Earlier this year, the county voted against opening the door for a data center near Leesburg, and then shortly afterward, Slate Auto announced plans to open an electric vehicle plant in Warsaw that will attract 1,700 workers.

In the last eight years, the tech park has attracted Nextremity Solutions (later sold to Medartis), Banner Medical, and Mentor Media. Medtronic, one of the biggest med-tech companies in the world, contemplated closing its Warsaw facility, but changed course and announced it planned to stay.

According to the state of Indiana, the Certified Technology Park program is used as a tool to support and grow high-technology businesses and promote technology transfer opportunities. The designation also allows for the local recapture of certain state and local tax revenue, which can be invested in the development of the park.

*  *  * 

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

The post Existing orthopedic company plans to move into Warsaw Technology Park appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — There is likely nobody more pleased to see a new chapter unfold at the old Gatke property in Warsaw than Jeremy Skinner.

The large rusted industrial blighted tract on McKinley Street sat empty for decades and became a haven for small crime and homelessness, but that is now a distant memory as construction has begun for the Union Station Lofts.

[caption id="attachment_109985" align="alignright" width="420"] City officials sounded upbeat Thursday at the groundbreaking for the future Union Station Lofts. From left are Jeremy Skinner, director of community & economic development for the city, Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose, City Council President Jack Wilhite, and former Mayor Joe Thallemer. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The development will feature 80 apartments and significant commercial space.

For Skinner, the city's director of economic and community development, it was a puzzle he’s tried to solve over the course of nearly two decades.

Skinner admitted it's been hanging over his head "for a long time."

"It feels good to finally get it going," Skinner said Thursday.

"We've had a lot of different ideas thrown at us over the years. Some not great ideas, some good ideas, without good financial backing and an ability to bring it to fruition," Skinner said.

"To be able to sit down with Shelby (Bowen) three or four years ago and hammer this project out and get to where we are today, it's been a long and rewarding project," Skinner said.

Bowen is the founder and partner with Rebar Development of Fishers, which has constructed large-scale residential developments across parts of Indiana and Ohio.

The Warsaw project stands out for certain reasons that made it more complicated.

"I'll tell you what was extraordinary," Bowen said. "This site was probably the most difficult in terms of overcoming environmental history that went along with what was here with Gatke over the years ... It took a long time and a lot of obstacles, but we were committed from the beginning."

Skinner and Bowen were among a large group that celebrated the start of construction of the future Union Station Lofts Thursday with a groundbreaking that included Mayor Jeff Grose, former mayor Joe Thallemer, KEDCO's Executive Director Peggy Friday and many other dignitaries.

[caption id="attachment_109991" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Architectural rendering of Union Station Lofts provided by Rebar Development.[/caption]

Several people spoke ahead of the groundbreaking about the $19 million investment that officials believe will spur development of the larger McKinley Street Ride-Walk corridor.

"The transformation of the former Gatke site into Union Station Lofts represents a major milestone for our community," said Mayor Grose.

"This development brings much-needed housing and vibrant commercial space while activating a key corridor that connects our neighborhoods and downtown. We’re proud to partner on this meaningful project that reflects Warsaw’s commitment to thoughtful growth and revitalization," he said.

"Union Station Lofts is exactly the kind of investment that strengthens our community fabric," said Friday. "By reimagining this historic industrial site, we’re creating a destination that will serve residents, small businesses, and entrepreneurs alike. It’s a powerful step forward for both our local economy and quality of place."

The development includes 80 class-A apartment homes with one- and two-bedroom floor plans and three commercial studios totaling 3,306 square feet.

The Union Station Lofts will have elevated amenities that include a rooftop terrace, work-from-home lounge, resident cafe, state-of-the-art fitness center, bike storage, pet spa, and incredible views of Winona Lake.

The commercial space is expected to include a mix of retail, office, or restaurant space.

Union Station Lofts is a public-private partnership that includes a $4 million redevelopment tax credit from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority.

Additionally, through the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative (OIRI), housed by OrthoWorx, the project will receive an additional $1.4 million in funding.

Construction should be complete in about 14 months, Bowen said.

The name of the lofts has been revised several times, but settled on the current name a few months ago.

The post Decades of efforts finally result in new future at old Gatke site appeared first on News Now Warsaw.