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June 2021
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Elko Edition Rea Reaching ch Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble And LaGrange Counties
Welcoming the flocks Vol. 34, No. 4
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
+20( )25 7+( 6800(5 %\ 5$< %$/2*+ 6WDII :ULWHU Every spring, like clockwork, they launch a local invasion that disrupts many of the businesses and institutions in Kosciusko County. And by all accounts, it is a very welcome disruption. Seniors and their generations of families swarm the county’s lakes from all across the fruited plain, hailing from states like Illinois, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Oregon and California. They not only bring with them the unhurried felicity of lake life, but they contribute mightily to the local commerce during the summer months. Kosciusko County is Indiana’s most prolific mecca for lakers. The county boasts more than 100 lakes, the most for any county in the state. Foremost among them is Lake Wawasee, Indiana’s largest natural lake, located 7+( *22' /,)( ³ -LP 7UXH[ OHIW southeast of Syracuse. :DZDVHH RQ D SR DQG KLV ZLIH -DQ H VWFDUG SHUIHFW GD\ QMR\ OXQFK ZLWK *HR According to Jill Boggs, CEO of DW &KDQQHO 0DUNH UJH 7UXH[ DJDLQVW PLJUDWH IRU WKH VXP U 5HVWDXUDQW LQ 6\ D EDFNGURS RI /DN PHU EDFN WR WKH ODN Kosciusko County Convention and UDFXVH 0DQ\ VHQLR H H WKH\ JUHZ XS RQ UV IU RP 3 KR D URXQG WKH FRXQWU\ WR E\ 5D\ %DORJK Visitors Bureau, the seasonal visitors burgeon the county’s population by 57%, “from about 79,500 to 125,000, and that’s a conservative bolstering their inventory and staff to accommo“I’ve found a lot of people estimate.” Folks who settle in for the summer entice date the major influx of patrons. experienced Lake Wawasee in their youth or young others to visit. That demographic, called VFR for A representative of the U.S. post office in Syraadulthood — maybe their college frat brother has a “visiting friends and relatives,” accounts for almost cuse said the influx “absolutely increases business” half the leisure trips made to Kosciusko County. The for the agency during the summer, “even for rentals.” place here — and a lot of them are third and fourth generation. We used to have a couple who lived in ripple effects are profound. Tourism and travel added The seasonal visitors come for many reasons Hawaii and came back here in the summer.” $200 million to Kosciusko County’s economy and and for one reason: to heed the siren call of life on Young said the lake has 106 pier numbers, but generated an additional 2,161 jobs with $39.8 million the lakeshore, sharing that time with those closest many of them have multiple slips. “One channel in wages in 2019, the most recent figures available. to them. might have 50 homes and the condos have multiple Tax revenues spike, with the Indiana Office of “It’s a very hard place to pry yourself away docks under the same number.” She estimated there Tourism Development noting, “without tourism, each from,” said Kay Young, president of Wawasee Propare “approximately 2,400 properties that touch the Indiana household would pay $566 more in state and erty Owners Association. “There is a huge variety of water,” and noted the prospects of finding a waterlocal taxes” each year and the statewide tax revenue reasons people come back here every year. They love side rental property at this point in the year are “could pay for 35% of all police and fire expenses the lake, have relatives here or they just like the rather slim. “We’re pretty well booked up, but the across the state.” area. A surprising number grew up here and want first point of contact is to go online” to search for an For months in advance, the town of Syracuse to come back to let their children and grandchildren available property. “Most Realtors don’t have rentals prepares to greet the “summer swell” that balloons have the same experience.” now. the local population to nearly 10 times its census of Young has worked as a Realtor for Todd Re“I love my lake, so I am very prejudiced. I grew 2,881 year-round residents, with grocery stores, gas alty for 32 years, which has given her a bird’s-eye up here in the summertimes and never left.” stations, restaurants, hotels and other businesses perspective on the annual onrush of returnees.