Shipshewana Civic and Industrial Development

The town comprehensive master plan outlines goals for commercial and industrial development. The comprehensive plan identifies tourism as the major engine for economic development but also clearly states the importance of appropriate light industry for the welfare of the community. The goal is to attract industry that is compatible with tourism.

A number of new civic and commercial developments have been completed in recent years. The new Davis Mercantile Building opened in 2005. A RV sales and repair shop has begun operation. E & S Sales has constructed a new retail store on their property near the intersection of US 20 and SR 5. Landmark has moved to a new building constructed near the Der Ruhe Blatz Hotel on SR 5. A new Bakery has been located on Berkshire Drive, near the intersection of SR 5. Expansion of the Shipshewana South Campgrounds was completed in 2005. Focus Enterprises, headquarters in Valparaiso, Indiana, opened WanaWaves indoor water park resort which includes a 154-bed hotel and 30,000 square foot water park in 2007. In 2006 the Town Council opened a Town Center that houses a visitors center, exposition center, and a Hudson car museum.

For the benefit of developers we've made available a Shipshewana Town Map (2008) showing street layout, town boundaries and other features. Note this is a large PDF file; we recommend you print it out on paper for easy reference.