The Starke County Park Board was awarded $30,000 from the Convention Visitors Commission (CVC) Tuesday, September 13.
CVC President Kathy Norem addressed the board to announce they have unanimously voted to award the Starke County Park Board with $30,000 for the kayak launch. She added 50 percent of that will go toward the Knox kayak launch and the other 50 percent would go toward the final launch at the confluence of the Kankakee River.
She added there are some limitations to the $30,000. She told the Park Board they have to start construction within 18 months. Norem said if they do not start construction within the 18 months the CVC will take the money back and distribute it to someone that can get the project going. She said it is specifically for the project in Knox and the project at the end of the trail.
Norem said the CVC saw those two projects as the most likely to bring tourism into Starke County. Park Board member Rik Ritzler noted they will be getting in touch with the proper individuals to move the project forward to meet the requirements set forth by the CVC.
