Representatives for a dozen nonprofit organizations in Kosciusko County came before the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night to give brief descriptions of their programs and explain why the funding is necessary.

The most in-depth presentation of the evening was given by George Robertson, president of
Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. Robertson said the $177,000 KEDCo is asking for from Economic Development Income Tax funds will help the organization continue to “catch up with our competitors.”

KEDCo, formed in 1984, is in existence to promote economic and community development in Kosciusko County and all of its municipalities. According to Robertson, KEDCo brought over 1,100 net new jobs over where employment was two years ago, and ” … we have caught up and even exceeded what our neighbors are doing” in regards to business retention.

Having launched business training programs and in the process of putting together mentoring and entrepreneurship programs, KEDCo is also looking forward to a big announcement they hope to make in Syracuse Tuesday night.

Robertson said the former Liberty Homes building is a top 3 finalist for a $160 million agricultural production operation that would also bring with it 50 new jobs. “We’ve got a real shot at that,” he noted.

Also, according Robertson, a start-up orthopedics company is coming to Warsaw which Robertson said was a direct result of KEDCo efforts.

The following is a list of the funding being request by nonprofits:

• Kosciusko County 4-H Council – $51,574, up $10,963 from last year
• Arrow Head RC&I – $0
• Kosciusko Development Inc. – $0
• KEDCo – $177,000, up $25,000 from last year
• Cardinal Center – $117,815, up $24,481 from last year
• Home Health Care – $42,750, no change
• Kosciusko County Historical Society – $20,255, no change
• Beaman Home – $37,200, up $8,627 from last year
• Kosciusko County Council on Aging – $35,000, up $6,427 from last year
• St. Joe River Basin – $450, no change
• Animal Welfare League – $80,340, up $17,977 from last year

The budget hearings begin next month.