Project Name: South Bend International Airport’s Inbound Baggage Modernization Project
Recipient: St. Joseph County Airport Authority
Location: 4477 Progress Dr., South Bend, IN 46628
Requested Amount: $6,000,000
Justification: The funding would be used to replace the airport’s two current inbound baggage handling devices and add a third device. The current devices are outdated and well past their useful life, requiring custom-fabricated replacement parts. The open loop configuration creates security vulnerabilities, as bags move from secured to unsecured areas and back. Finally, the current devices cannot accommodate the present or forecasted passenger volume arriving at the airport. They were designed to serve regional jets of 50-70 passengers, but in 2025, more than 1,400 arrivals at the airport carried between 137-200 passengers.
Project Name: Town of Etna Green Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project
Recipient: Town of Etna Green
Location: 106 S. Walnut St., Etna Green, IN 46524
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Justification: The Town of Etna Green operates an aging wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that requires significant rehabilitation. Upgrading the facility is necessary to ensure continued compliance with local, state, and federal wastewater regulations. Funding will support the design and construction phases of the wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation project. This includes replacing platforms and process mechanisms, exposed piping, truss nail plates, control panels, and potentially the metal roof. Lighting will be upgraded to improve conditions for performing maintenance. The Town will also evaluate additional venting or gas mitigation strategies.
Project Name: LaPorte County Regional Sewer and Water District – Hudson Saugany Clean Water Project
Recipient: LaPorte County Regional Sewer and Water District
Location: 325 S. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601
Requested Amount: $4,000,000
Justification: Phase 2 of the project, which consists of a full wastewater treatment plant buildout for the area and construction of the Hudson Lake wastewater collection system. The area’s residential properties currently rely on septic systems, the majority of which are constructed in unsuitable soils within the influence zone of the drinking water aquifer and surface water resource. Modernizing this infrastructure is essential to protect public health, ensure environmental compliance, and maintain safe and dependable wastewater service for residents and businesses.
Project Name: Town of Kewanna Wastewater Improvement Project
Recipient: Town of Kewanna
Location: 308 S. Logan St., Kewanna, IN 46939
Requested Amount: $1,793,000
Justification: Improvements to wastewater treatment plant, including replacing pumps, blowers, flow meters, lagoon components, and the irrigation system. Improvements to the lift stations include converting the Main Lift Station to a submersible configuration, upgrading pumps at both the Main Lift Station and Lift Station 2, and upsizing and rerouting the Lift Station 2 force main to connect with the Main Lift Station force main.
Project Name: Town of La Crosse Water Utility Improvements Phase 3 Project
Recipient: Town of La Crosse
Location: 13 N. Washington St., P.O. Box 246, La Crosse, IN 46348
Requested Amount: $2,323,320
Justification: Replacement of existing aging or undersized water mains within the distribution system with 6-in diameter water mains. This includes the replacement of any service line connections, isolation valves, and hydrants within the identified project area. The Town’s oldest water mains in the system were installed in the early 1950s and have exceeded their useful life. Much of the water system is composed of surplus pipe from WWII. These undersized water mains cannot provide adequate flow and pressure during an emergency fire event. Additionally, the town has documented hydrants that are in poor condition, lack an associated isolation valve, and are undersized. Modernizing this infrastructure is essential to protect public health, public safety, ensure environmental compliance, and maintain safe and dependable water service for residents and businesses.
Project Name: City of Nappanee Water Main Replacement Project
Recipient: City of Nappanee
Location: 300 W. Lincoln St., Nappanee, IN 46550
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the Nappanee distribution system has multiple areas with original water mains dating back to 1902 and are subject to frequent main breaks. Replacement of these water mains will restore and improve pressure and flow within the area, including for fire flow. Replacement of all lead and galvanized water service lines in the area will reduce the risk of exposure to lead to the residents and users. And a water service loop will improve redundancy for Nappanee Elementary School to ensure no interruptions in service.
Project Name: Town of North Manchester Wastewater Utility Improvement Project
Recipient: Town of North Manchester
Location: 103 E. Main St., North Manchester, IN 46962
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Justification: The funding would be used for upgrading equipment and facilities at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sycamore Lift Station, and Mill Street Interceptor. The improvements will help maintain reliable operations, enhance system performance, and meet regulatory requirements, including by significantly reducing the number of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in the Town’s collection system.
Project Name: HealthLinc Southeast Clinic Modernization
Recipient: Healthlinc, Inc.
Location: 1708 High St., South Bend, IN 46613
Requested Amount: $1,503,186
Justification: HealthLinc has rented the facility but is imminently purchasing it. The clinic is in a high-poverty ZIP code and served 2,076 patients in 2025, including 1,070 with mental health diagnoses. However, the facility is dated with significant plumbing, mechanical, and space issues. Modernization is needed to fully realize a patient-centered integrated care model, to meet the community needs, and to expand services. The renovated clinic will be accessible and familiar to the community and increase capacity. The improvements will help improve healthcare access and quality for low-income Americans in a high-need area.