Welcome Center to Open in Spring of 2026

The Jasper County Tourism Commission is excited to announce the opening of a new Welcome Center in downtown Rensselaer, slated for Spring 2026.

“We are so excited to celebrate who Jasper County is and what the people in our communities have to offer,” said Sara DeYoung, Executive Director of the Jasper County Economic Development Organization (JCEDO), which provides staff and services to the Tourism Commission.
“We want this Welcome Center to serve as a beacon—welcoming new people to the area and helping guide them to the assets and experiences available throughout Jasper County. The Tourism Commission is an amazing group of community members who support the larger vision of marketing, engagement, and connection.”

The Jasper County Tourism Commission (JCTC) is a county entity funded through the Innkeeper’s Tax, a local tax levied on short-term lodging. Revenues are used to promote tourism, conventions, and visitor attractions. The Welcome Center will provide a central hub for engaging with visitors and supporting the larger community.

Diva Rish, JCTC member and organizer of the Touch of Dutch Festival, emphasized the importance of connection:

“The Welcome Center will be the front porch of our community—a place where visitors can discover our history, connect with local businesses, and find reasons to stay longer. I’m excited to help create a warm, inviting space that leaves a lasting impression and keeps people coming back.”

In addition to supporting event promotion, the Tourism Commission awards grants for events and capital projects that align with tourism development.
“But we don’t have a central location for all of that information and collaboration to live—and that’s the role the Welcome Center will help fill,” said DeYoung.

The center will also feature a retail market offering locally made products. During planning discussions, the Commission recognized that driving foot traffic to downtown and supporting small business visibility throughout the county were key goals.

One of the anchor features will be the new Mural Passport, a printed booklet designed to guide visitors through Jasper County’s growing mural trail. The passport will include information about each mural, nearby businesses, local parks, and community amenities.
“We wanted to build on something we already have—and that’s our murals,” DeYoung said. “The Mural Passport is a fun way to explore our towns while supporting local shops and artists.”

Janelle Musch, a long-time JCTC member, suggested increasing advertising visibility along I-65, which led to the creation of the passport and broader plans to market Jasper County as a destination.
DeYoung noted: “The interstate is a strength for Jasper County—but if travelers are just stopping for gas and a snack, we’re not fully leveraging that asset. This is our chance to invite them to go further—into our towns, our shops, our trails, and our festivals.”

Suzi Howard, JCTC member and representative of the Wheatfield Chamber of Commerce, added that the Welcome Center will be a major asset for small businesses:

“Some small businesses don’t have the budget to advertise, and this could be the connection they need—to surrounding towns and to out-of-town visitors who might not have known about them otherwise.”

Jasper County Commissioner Rein Bontreger, who also serves on the JCEDO board, shared his support for the initiative:

“This Welcome Center will showcase our quality of life, business-friendly posture, and our ‘can do’ attitude. It’s a place where Jasper County’s history, present, and future come together—demonstrating how agriculture, industry, and rural living can thrive.”

The Jasper County Welcome Center will be located at 104 W Washington Street, Rensselaer, IN. Light remodeling will begin in the coming months, with a grand opening targeted for Spring 2026.

For updates and sneak peeks, visit DiscoverJasperCounty.com and follow @DiscoverJasperCounty on social media.