Motorists on U.S. 30 will be hard pressed not to see the new Kosciusko County Visitors Center.

Just look for the Big V.

Local officials got an up-close look at the facility as the Convention and Visitors Center held their grand opening reception and ribbon cutting. Many compliments were given about the building, which features a big V-shaped sign.

"It's a beautiful building," said county commissioner Brad Jackson. "It's a great location. I think the foyer's a great idea."

The foyer features a 24-hour touch-screen computer built into the wall that will help visitors plan their stay in the county. Addresses and phone numbers of local accommodations are provided via the computer as well as other county information. A phone is located by the computer for visitors to use to make reservations. Local attractions will be added later to the computer system. If a visitor needs a printout, that will be available at no charge.

During business hours, brochures from businesses and organizations like the S.S. Lillypad, the Kosciusko County Old Jail Museum & Library, the Covered Bridge Retreat and Hoffman Lake Campground, among many others, will be available in the reception area. Information on the county and the state will be contained in oak racks as well.

"It's obviously a very attractive facility," Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said. "We're very glad to have any facility that attracts people to the area. I was very impressed with the computer in the foyer. I think they've done a real nice job on the facility."

Members of the county council agreed.

"I think it's an excellent facility and there's a lot to be said about the location," said county council president Brad Tandy. "It's an excellent addition to the community."

"It's nice, it's very nice," said county councilman John Kinsey. "They definitely have more room here. This is visible from (U.S.) 30."

Local business owners and community leaders also paid a visit to the CVB's grand opening, which will continue through Friday. The public is invited to visit and tour the new facility.

"I'm very impressed (with the facility). I think it will be very helpful. I think the location is good," said Joni Truex.

"The location is a lot better than the other," said Dan Thystrup, owner of The Dixie, North Webster. "There are a lot of brochures for people to know what's going on."

The previous location of the CVB was at the Chamber of Commerce building on South Buffalo Street in downtown Warsaw. SYM Financial sold the grounds to the CVB for $125,000. The building cost $250,000. The budget for the CVB for 1999 is $265,000. Money does not come from the county council general fund. It is solely a tax that is collected from overnight visitors.

Four people on the CVB commission are appointed by the county commissioners. Two are appointed by the county council and one is appointed by the mayor of Warsaw. The CVB board is voted on internally.

Linda Arnold, CVB executive director, said, "This Visitors Center will serve as an information center for visitors as well as local residents. Our brochure racks will contain information on tourism-related businesses in Kosciusko County as well as containing both regional and state-wide information on the other counties in Indiana." [[In-content Ad]]