Visit South Bend Mishawaka has announced $500,000 in funding to benefit the advancement of St. Joseph County as a tourism destination.

The Tourism Capital Developments Fund is in its second year and continues to grow, helping to fund seven projects in 2019.

Among those projects are softscape improvements to the terminal and concourse at the airport, the installation of a zipline across the St. Joseph River in downtown South Bend and a white rhino exhibit at Potawatomi Zoo.

The group says these projects will improve visitor experience while providing critical assistance toward tourism product development.