2024 Annual Report by SouthBendElkhart

Make it, and make it last.

A summary of the work of the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership in 2024.

A Letter from the CEO

Dear Friends and Partners,

Over the past decade, the South Bend - Elkhart region has been on a transformative journey. We’ve built momentum, leveraged our strengths, and proven that when we work together, we can accomplish more than we ever imagined.

Our competitive edge goes beyond geography, infrastructure, or industry – we thrive because of our people. The power of collaboration is now ingrained in how we operate. Businesses, universities, and communities are coming together with a shared vision for innovation and growth. We aren’t just participating in the future; we are actively shaping it.

Since the first Regional Cities award in 2015, our collective efforts have driven more than $175 million in investment from the State of Indiana, Lilly Endowment Inc., and other funders –catalyzing over a billion dollars in regional growth. These investments are fueling economic expansion, enhancing quality of life, and positioning our region as a model of resilience and progress.

As we look ahead, our mission remains clear: to create an inclusive, innovative, and prosperous future for all. Big things can’t be done alone – and thanks to your dedication, we are proving what’s possible when we work together.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s continue building a region that sets the standard for success in the Midwest.

In service and gratitude,

Bethany Hartley President and CEO South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership

Who We Are

The South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership is a collaboration of economic development partners from 47 smart connected communities in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.

Our Mission

To accelerate regional competitiveness and inclusive economic growth.

We do that by:

• Spurring job creation

• Executing and supporting strategic initiatives

• Identifying and securing capital investment through collaboration

Our Vision

To be the most prosperous region in the Midwest.

Our Priorities

Attract new resources for regional economic development projects, startups, and established companies.

Support initiatives and partners that align to the Regional Economic Development Strategy.

Share and exchange insights and ideas with entrepreneurs, college students, apprentices, partners, and business leaders, while also promoting the South Bend - Elkhart region to audiences beyond our community.

2018

The South Bend - Elkhart Region is named Elevate Ventures‘ “Region of the Year.”

Meet Our Team

Alicia Einfalt Regional Internships, EnFocus Fellow

Madison Henderson Coordinator, Digital Media and Communications

Chisonga Mukumbuta Coordinator, Entrepreneurship and Industry Innovation

Lori Flotow Manager, Operations and Executive Assistant

Taryn MacFarlane Vice President, Regional Initiatives

Lauren Thomas Director of Talent Initiatives

Interns

Celia Faroh Talent

Isabel Migan Economic Development

Arda Kurama Entrepreneurship

Jason Migas Marketing

Liz Folkerts Director, Marketing and Communications

Micheal McHugh Student Immersion Experience, EnFocus Fellow

Angela Workman READI Finance Manager

Hartley President and CEO

Marty Mechtenberg Sr. Director, Entrepreneurship and Industry Innovation

Alayna Wort Program Manager, Talent Development

Former Employees

Sarah Cavalaris Vice President, Marketing

Stephanie Hamsher Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager

Antjuan Finch AmeriCorps Fellow

Jill Scicchitano Chief Operations Manager

Bethany

What We Do

Catalyze

Focus investment to drive catalytic economic and community development. We partner to develop innovative solutions to fill resource gaps. These solutions help to advance community and economic development.

Communicate

Monitor and communicate progress, opportunities, and challenges as they relate to regional economic performance. We provide research insights on regional competitiveness and economic conditions that have the power to drive strategic directives for the consortium of organizations and leaders engaged in the region.

Convene

We bring together diverse groups of regional representatives to develop strategies that inform and influence the direction of this region. We create a platform for collaboration and bring people together to listen, understand, and solve problems. We work to build consensus and foster collaboration to make things happen.

Convey

The regional opportunity. We market the region with a unified voice to job creators and talent, advancing the regional economy and driving strategic investments.

Focused on promoting and fostering our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through ecosystem building. We work to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit and culture in the region, identify and nurture startups, and support the growth of existing high impact businesses.

2016

Launched the Startup South Bend - Elkhart regional brand.

Our regional talent attraction brand, focused on intentional attraction and retention of talent in the South Bend - Elkhart region.

2020

Earned 21st Century Talent Region Designation and launched WE+ YOU regional brand.

Featured Stories

Jairo Aleman (left) and Mee Sun Klingerman (right), founders of A Bite With Mee, speak on the Rooted & Reaching Podcast

Rooted & Reaching: A Podcast Unearthing the Heart of Entrepreneurship

The Rooted & Reaching podcast, now entering its third season, gives a voice to the founders shaping our dynamic Midwest economy. With each episode, the show digs beneath the surface of business strategy to explore the deeper “why” behind the people who choose to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

Produced by the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership’s Startup South Bend - Elkhart initiative, Rooted & Reaching highlights the journeys of local entrepreneurs as they build and scale companies that reflect their values, passions, and communities. What started in March 2023 as a pilot effort to document the “how” of business building has now evolved into a more intimate look at the motivations, fears, and inspirations that power the region’s founders.

2023

The Rooted & Reaching Podcast launches, as a part of Startup South Bend - Elkhart.

Season One of Rooted & Reaching introduced listeners to the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem across the region, featuring 17 in-depth interviews with local changemakers. Hosts Bethany Hartley, President & CEO of the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership, and Nicholas Kuhn, Vice President of Hardtech at Elevate Ventures, walked listeners through the nuts and bolts of launching and growing a business – covering everything from funding and mentorship to overcoming early obstacles.

Guests included respected founders like Kathy Burnette of Brain Lair Books, Derald Gray of DG Visionaries, Mike Keen of Hometowne Development, and Jess Koscher of Write Connections. Their stories reflected a wide array of industries, backgrounds, and business models, showcasing the diversity and resilience of the local startup community.

In Season Two, the show shifted its focus. With new hosts Marty Mechtenberg, Senior Director of Entrepreneurship and Industry Innovation at the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership, and Susan Ford, Partner at Graham Allen Partners, the podcast looked to bring a new layer of introspection, as entrepreneurs reflect on what their work means to them, their families, and their communities.

“The first season, we tended to discuss the ‘how’ of these founders’ entrepreneurial journeys,” said Mechtenberg. “With Season Two, we’re looking at the ‘why’ – what drives these individuals to leave the security of a nine-to-five to risk it all, bringing their vision to life.”

Season Two launched on April 25, 2024, and consisted of 16 episodes released biweekly. Guests included a mix of established founders, as well as determined young entrepreneurs. The second episode was recorded live during IDEA Week at a session titled “Recent Raises: Hear from Founders Who Just Completed Their Rounds.” The panel included high-growth entrepreneurs Ray Fraser, formerly of Vital View Technologies, heARsight ’s Riley Ellingsen, Joshua Rodgers of Mili Llama, and Pivt’s Lynn Greenberg, along with moderator Cat Edmonds from the University of Notre Dame discussing fundraising in today’s startup climate and what motivates them to keep going in the face of uncertainty.

Other guests in Season Two included regional leaders such as Len Morris of Viewrail, author Mike Brown of Soulstir, Tae’Lor Lake, Founder of Trophy Details, and Richard Worsham, co-founder of Janus Motorcycles – each bringing a unique perspective on how personal purpose fuels business decisions.

“I tried to figure out what I could do,” said Brown in his episode. “What I learned through that process is that I’m an invigorating force. I bring a lot of energy to any room that I enter. I inspire people. I motivate people. So, I decided to take what that meant, and it became something that stirs your soul.”

Listeners can access the podcast audio on Captivate or watch the episodes on YouTube. It is produced by Truth Work Media, whose founder, Michael Yoder, was a guest on Season One.

“The South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership has long championed the power of entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development and industry diversification,” said Hartley. “Rooted & Reaching is a natural extension of that work – serving as both a digital archive and a motivational platform for the region’s evolving innovation landscape. These are stories of grit, generosity, sacrifice, and vision. In an era where people crave deeper connection and meaning, Rooted & Reaching delivers that – one authentic conversation at a time.”

As Season Three kicks off, the podcast is poised to become more than just a regional gem – it’s a model for how communities across the country can document, support, and elevate the voices of their homegrown entrepreneurs. And for every listener who tunes in, the message is clear: your story matters, your vision counts, and this region is ready to hear what you have to say.

Student Immerson Experience Shows Students Post-Grad Opportunities in the South Bend - Elkhart Region

More than 40,000 students call the South Bend - Elkhart region home each school year. The WE+YOU Student Immersion Experience strives to keep them here. The South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership kicked off the biannual event in March, 2024, and followed up again in October of that year.

2024

The Student Immersion Experience launches, a WE+YOU Talent Attraction & Retention Initiative.

The Student Immersion Experience, or SIE, welcomes college students from across the Midwest to explore career, community, and lifestyle opportunities in the South Bend - Elkhart region. Designed to combat brain drain and showcase the region’s vibrancy, the two-day event engages students with immersive tours of local employers like Grand Design RV and enFocus , networking lunches with community leaders, and a dynamic pitch competition featuring regional

employers. The fully-sponsored initiative introduced students to the innovation, industry, and quality of life available in Northern Indiana, leaving many inspired to envision a future in the region.

Student Immersion Experience: Teresa Covarrubias

Teresa Covarrubias, a participant in the Fall 2024 WE+YOU Student Immersion Experience, unreservedly offers this advice to others who might be thinking about attending an event in the future:

“Do it! Do it! Take advantage of the opportunity. Sign up, be open-minded, and go.”

Enrolled in an 11-month master’s program at the University of Notre Dame, Covarrubias graduated in May with a master’s in engineering science and technology entrepreneurship. Her objective is to apply technology in areas where it is not currently being used, such as automating the data collection process in project and process management. While completing her degree, she worked part time at iNDustry Labs. Her

boss and mentor, Maria Gibbs, Senior Director of iNDustry Labs at the University of Notre Dame, is an enthusiastic supporter of the South Bend area. So, Covarrubias was already thinking about staying in the region when she learned about the opportunity to participate in the Student Immersion Experience by way of a weekly newsletter provided by her Notre Dame program coordinator.

She expected the event to provide an opportunity to meet and network with professionals and learn more about the region and potential employers.

In fact, the event far exceeded anything that Covarrubias had imagined it could be. The warm hospitality and attention to detail made her feel welcomed, nurtured, and valued.

“It was extremely well-crafted and engaging,” she says. “It was clear that tremendous effort went into creating an event that was both fun and rewarding for participants.”

Relationships are often fostered around the table, and the Student Immersion Experience is no different. One of the most outstanding aspects of the weekend, says Covarrubias, was the quality of the food.

“Breakfast at Four Winds Field, coffee in Mishawaka, and lunch at Jesús Latin Grill all contributed to making us feel important.”

Covarrubias found it eye-opening to discover the diversity of employers in the area. The tour of Barletta Boats in Elkhart was one of the aspects she found most interesting and valuable, along with the regional company showcase.

The effort employers put into their showcase presentations impressed Covarrubias, and she appreciated their investment in the students. Before attending SIE, Covarrubias was relatively unaware of opportunities in healthcare in her field, but Beacon Health System ’s presentation, given by Pam Morrison, Workforce Development Program Manager, and Blake Mattucci, Outreach and Business Development Coordinator, changed that. She applauded the Beacon team’s effort in conducting a study to better understand the values and priorities of the current generation as one more example of the effort that went into making the immersion experience a success.

Covarrubias is enthusiastic about the benefit of participating in SIE and encourages others to take advantage of any chance to learn more about the region and local career possibilities. She also praises Michael McHugh, the Student Immersion Experience

Fellow, for his amazing organization, kindness, and patience throughout the student immersion event and recognizes the effort that went into crafting an event that the participants would be sure to enjoy.

Unlike many of the other participants, Covarrubias completed her undergraduate degree in 2022 and worked for two years before coming to Notre Dame. While others were seeking summer internships, she was interested in opportunities for full-time employment. Worthwhile conversations resulted from connections she made and “some things are currently in the works.”

The Student Immersion Experience confirmed Covarrubias’s thinking and strengthened her desire to stay in the region after graduation although her family lives in California. Initially her family wondered why she would choose to attend a university in Indiana. “No one’s there,” they said. But now she’s encouraging them to come and learn about the opportunities here.

As someone who has lived or worked in many areas, from Mexico to Germany to the U.S., Covarrubias says she has never been in an area with such a strong emphasis on making the area better, stronger, and more attractive.

The Student Immersion Experience is an engaging event that’s not to be missed.

“It’s a very nice showcase–an immersion into what the South Bend / Mishawaka / Elkhart region has to offer.”

Teresa Covarrubias, Student Immersion Experience participant

Building on a Proven Model: South Bend – Elkhart Region Awarded

$45M in READI 2.0 to Power Growth, Transformation

In 2024, the region secured $45 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 grant funding through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) – a powerful follow-up to the $50 million READI 1.0 funds awarded in 2021, and the $42 million Regional Cities Initiative grant in 2015.

The new funds, part of former Governor Eric Holcomb’s $500 million statewide initiative, will support projects aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods, boosting housing, improving public amenities, and building the kinds of places where people want to live and work.

“We’re ecstatic that the IEDC recognizes the work being done in the South Bend - Elkhart region,” said John DeSalle, Chair of the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority. “We will continue to be good stewards of these funds and ensure they deliver real impact for residents in Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties.”

But this isn’t the beginning of the story. It’s the next bold chapter.

Chapter 1: Regional Cities Initiative

The South Bend - Elkhart region’s journey toward regional development began with the Regional Cities Initiative (RCI) in 2015. As one of just three regions selected statewide to receive $42 million in matching funds, the region began unprecedented collaboration between Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties, leading to the establishment of the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA). The RDA became instrumental in coordinating regional efforts, setting the stage for future initiatives like READI.

2015

Established Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) and received a $42 Million Grant from Indiana Regional Cities Initiative.

The impact of RCI is visible in transformative projects across the region. South Bend’s Renaissance District , once the crumbling Studebaker factory complex, is now home to a growing tech campus and innovation hub. In Marshall County, the Culver Sand Hill Farm workforce housing project addressed a major barrier to talent retention in rural communities. The Beacon Health and Aquatic Center in Elkhart brought the community a 171,000-square-foot wellness facility with a largerthan-Olympic-sized pool that is capable of hosting major competitions.

RCI also helped launch key recreational and cultural amenities, including the Howard Park redevelopment in South Bend, the Hotel Elkhart restoration in downtown Elkhart, and the REES Theatre refurbishment in Plymouth. These projects collectively raised the region’s profile as a dynamic and livable place, reinforcing its readiness for continued growth under the READI program.

The Regional Cities Initiative didn’t just build infrastructure – it built trust, alignment, and a shared identity. It proved that regional collaboration works and laid the groundwork for the South Bend – Elkhart region to become a model for integrated, long-term development.

2021

$50 Million Grant from Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 1.0).

Chapter 2: READI 1.0

With the lessons learned from RCI, the region developed the Smart Connected Communities 2030 Plan, which outlined the region’s plan for further development. This led to the South Bend – Elkhart region being named one of five regions awarded the maximum amount – $50M – of READI 1.0 funds in 2021. That first round of READI funding helped launch or accelerate 28 projects and programs, generating more than $448 million in additional public and private investment. Projects touched every corner of the region and tackled critical needs from housing to innovation. Projects like the Tolson Center for Community Excellence in Elkhart, the Elkhart River District and the Potawatomi Zoo expansion in South Bend were among the first to bring READI 1.0’s promise to life. The Tolson Center now serves as a vital community anchor for youth and recreation in a historically underserved area, while the River District revitalization brought new life to the city’s urban core with mixed-use development, dining, and residential options. The zoo’s new Lodge Café and Andean Bear Habitat has solidified the state’s oldest zoo as a regional tourism destination. From the Madison Lifestyle District in South Bend to the Mishawaka Fieldhouse to the Wellfield Botanic Gardens’ new Visitor Center in Elkhart, these projects are reshaping the physical landscape and city skylines.

Together, they showed that the South Bend – Elkhart region could build on what was started to create vibrant, livable communities that attract talent and investment.

2024

$45 Million Grant from Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0).

Chapter 3: READI 2.0

Building on the momentum of 10 years of collaboration, the IEDC awarded the South Bend - Elkhart region $45 million in READI 2.0 funding. The region looks to preliminarily power 13 projects, which are awaiting state approval. Project highlights include:

• Elkhart River District 2.0 – Adding 284 residences, office and retail space, and public art in a thriving downtown district.

• Bremen Growth – Building a 3-mile greenway trail connecting parks to development sites, and the town’s first new housing development in over 20 years.

• Western Avenue Transformation District – A 208unit mixed-income housing development in South Bend with green space and inclusive design.

• Cherry Creek – A walkable, mixed-use neighborhood in Goshen with housing, retail, and onsite childcare.

• New Carlisle 2.0 – Downtown revitalization through

recreation and accessibility upgrades, including renovated tennis courts, four new pickleball courts, an ADA pathway, and alley beautification projects that foster walkability and community gathering spaces.

• 100 Center Revitalization – A $41.5 million transformation of Mishawaka’s historic brewery into a residential, commercial, and entertainment destination.

All told, these projects will unlock $613 million in regional investment and address long-standing community needs.

The RDA’s efforts are not just about grants – they are about creating a shared vision across cities, counties, and sectors. The South Bend - Elkhart region has consistently shown what’s possible when collaboration, strategy, and community voice come together. And with READI 2.0 now in motion, the page is turning on another wave of transformation.

“This isn’t just about buildings or roads,” said Bethany Hartley, President and CEO of the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership. “It’s about creating a community where quality of life flourishes – where every investment reflects the talent, ambition, and resilience of the people who live here. It’s about ensuring that opportunity, wellbeing, and pride are built into the foundation of everyday life.”

To learn more about the South Bend - Elkhart region’s READI initiatives and projects, visit: https:// southbendelkhart.org/get-readi/

Results: 24 in 2024

$140K in Pre-Seed & Seed Round funding awarded to regional startups

55 new residents moved to the region as part of the Remote Worker Strategy

$9,500 in Proof-of-Concept Funds awarded

50+

University and college students participating the Student Immersion Program

Regional Innovation Index

117.3

Graduates from two HustleSBE Business Bootcamp cohorts

Episodes of the Rooted & Reaching Podcast in Season 2

$11.9M in SBIR & STTR Grants awarded to regional companies

50+

meetings hosted with 13 unique stakeholder groups & hundreds of regional decision-makers

IN the North

A familiarization tour with our counterparts from Northwest and Northeast Indiana for site selectors.

$3.3B

The University of Notre Dame’s annual economic impact on the region

$45M

Awarded to the South Bend - Elkhart Region in READI 2.0 funds.

224,170 post impressions across all social media platforms

Interns were placed with 21 employers

Apprentices placed with 2 employers through the LIFT Apprenticeship Program

Regional Champions Tailgate

Celebrating our partners at one of our region’s one-of-a-kind experiences

Regional Skills Accelerator trained

373 employees & distributed

$75,000+ in funds

Followers increased

23.1% from 2023 across all social media platforms

Pageviews on Startup South Bend - Elkhart website up over 2023

17.1%

Inaugural Roast, Toast, & Rally happy hour with entrepreneur partners from Northeast and Northwest at Rally Innovation in Indianapolis

YouTube views up Watch time (hours) up

36%

WE+YOU post shares up from 2023 24%

100% over 2023

200

Attended the 4 Founder Factory event

Attended 21 business events across

10,280+

miles, in 7 different states

Board of Directors

Jeff Rea, Chair

President & CEO

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership Foundation Board

South Bend Regional Chamber

Pete McCown, Chairman - Elect President Community Foundation of Elkhart County

South

Tim Sexton, Secretary & Treasurer

Associate Vice President for Public Affairs University of Notre Dame

Michael Daigle, Ex-Officio for Regional Partnership Treasurer

Executive Director

South Bend International Airport

Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership Executive Committee

Pete McCown, Chair

President Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Susan Ford, Co-Vice Chair

Partner

Graham Allen Partners

Jeff Rea, Co-Vice Chair President & CEO

South Bend Regional Chamber

Michael Daigle, Treasurer

Executive Director South Bend International Airport

Greg Hidebrand, Secretary President & CEO

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation

Shannon Cullinan, Member

Executive Vice President University of Notre Dame

Suzanne Weirick, Public Representative Commissioner

Elkhart County Board of Commissioners

Carl Baxmeyer Commissioner

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership Board

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners

Dave Behr* Director, North Central Region Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Shannon Cullinan Executive Vice President University of Notre Dame

Michael Daigle Executive Director South Bend International Airport

Susan Elrod* Chancellor Indiana University South Bend

Susan Ford Partner

Graham Allen Partners

Larry Garatoni Chief Executive Officer Garatoni Family Office

* denotes former board member

Greg Hildebrand President and CEO

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation

Jon Hunsberger Executive Director

Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Levon Johnson President Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce

Susan King President Beacon Health System Foundation

Stan Klotz Commissioner Marshall County Board of Commissioners

Shelley Klug* Manager, Economic & Business Development AEP

Pete McCown President Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Rose Meissner President Community Foundation of St. Joseph County

Gary Neidig President and CEO ITAMCO

Kevin Overmyer* Commissioner Marshall County Board of Commissioners

Jeff Rea President & CEO South Bend Regional Chamber

Amish Shah President and CEO Kem Krest

Andrea Short President 1st Source Bank

Chris Stager President Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County

Natalie Tucker VP and Academic Dean Marian University Ancilla College

James Turnwald Executive Director

Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG)

Suzanne Weirick Commissioner Elkhart County Board of Commissioners

Matthew Wesaw Chair Pokagon Band Tribal Council

Andrew Wiand Executive Director enFocus

Linda Yoder Executive Director

Marshall County Community Foundation

Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority Board Members

John DeSalle, Chair

Executive Engineer-in-Residence iNDustry Labs at the University of Notre Dame

Dallas Bergl, Vice Chair President and CEO INOVA Federal Credit Union

Kristin Pruitt, SecretaryTreasurer President Lake City Bank

Pete McCown, Member President Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Tim Sexton, Member Associate Vice President for Public Affairs University of Notre Dame

Thank You, Investors

The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership has more than investors. These organizations are part of the communities that make up our region. Our actions impact their lives on a daily basis, and their continued support shows the value in what we do – together.