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2025 Annual Report

A summary of the work of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership in 2025.

A Letter from Bethany More than ten years ago, our region made a bold decision: to think bigger. The Regional Cities Initiative challenged communities across Indiana to work together in new ways, and in South Bend Elkhart, we answered with a commitment to regionalism. At the time, collaboration across county lines was often discussed more as an aspiration than a reality. Headlines focused on population decline, talent loss, and questions about whether this region could compete for the future. The phrase "dying city" was heard more than once. Today, the answer is clear. Over the past decade, we have built something remarkable together. We have strengthened relationships across industries, municipalities, educational institutions, and community organizations. We have invested in entrepreneurship, workforce development, quality of place, and innovation. We have created new pathways for talent and new opportunities for businesses to grow. Most importantly, we have built trust, the foundation that makes long-term regional progress possible. The results of that work were visible throughout 2025. Employers expanded and invested here. Entrepreneurs chose this region to start and scale their companies. Students and workers found new pathways into careers that keep them rooted in our communities. Partners who once operated separately now plan, fund, and build together, and initiatives like IDEA Week showed what is possible when more than 80 organizations rally around a shared vision for the region. None of this happened by accident. It is the product of ten years of deliberate choices: choosing collaboration over competition, choosing long-term investment over short-term wins, and choosing to tell a confident, honest story about who we are and where we are going. That regional pride continues to grow. We see it in the entrepreneurs choosing to build businesses here. We see it in the employers investing in talent and innovation. We see it in organizations working together instead of separately. And we see it in the growing confidence with which our communities tell the story of South Bend - Elkhart. There is still work ahead. Our region's next decade will demand the same ambition that defined our first: growing our population, deepening our talent pipeline, and ensuring that opportunity reaches every community in the region. But we begin that work from a position of strength, with proven partnerships, real momentum, and a track record that speaks for itself. The stories in this report belong to all of us: the partners, businesses, institutions, investors, civic leaders, and residents who continue to believe in the power of regional collaboration. Thank you for being part of this journey and for continuing to shape the future of the South Bend - Elkhart region.

Bethany Hartley

President and CEO South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership

Table of Contents: i. ii. iii.

Who We Are What We Do Features a. Entrepreneurship – IDEA Week b. Regional Initiatives – 10 years of transformation i. Hotel Elkhart – RCI ii. Mishawaka Fieldhouse – 1.0 iii. Heartland Art Center c. Talent – Internship Program iv. 25 in ‘25 v. Board of Directors vi. Committees and Councils vii. Investors viii. Financials

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

WHO WE ARE Our Mission

Our Vision

Accelerate regional competitiveness and inclusive economic growth.

To be the most prosperous region in the Midwest.

We do that by: Spurring job creation

Executing and supporting strategic initiatives Identifying and securing capital investment through collaboration

Our Priorities Attract Attract new funding for regional economic development projects, startups, and established companies.

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

Share Share and glean knowledge with and from entrepreneurs, college students, apprentices, partners, and members. Share about the South Bend – Elkhart region to external audiences.

Steven Baranko Data Specialist/ AmeriCorps Fellow

Lori Flotow

Taryn MacFarlane Vice President, Regional Initiatives

Marty Mechtenberg

Manager, Operations and Executive Assistant

Senior Director, Entrepreneurship and Industry Innovation

Liz Folkerts

Chisonga Mukumbuta

Director, Marketing and Communications

Coordinator, Entrepreneurship and Industry Innovation

Bethany Hartley

Lauren Thomas

Madison Henderson

Angela Workman

President and CEO

Coordinator, Digital Media and Communications

Director, Talent Initiatives

READI Finance Manager

Skye Liu

Alayna Wort

enFocus Fellows

2025 Intern

Data and Digital Strategy Manager

Alicia Enfalt* Nehreen Fatima Roseanna Lemrow* Michael McHugh*

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

Meet our Team

Program Manager, Talent Development

Kate McGuire

Marketing Intern * Denotes former employee

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

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

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 new business startups, and support the growth of existing innovation driven enterprises.

WE+YOU is the region's talent brand, built to welcome newcomers to the South Bend - Elkhart region and to invest in the growth of the talented people already here.

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

FEATURES IDEA Week Showcases Innovation and Entrepreneurship in South Bend – Elkhart Region In April 2025, the South Bend–Elkhart region once again transformed into a hub of big ideas, bold founders, and creative energy. For five days, April 21–25, IDEA Week returned as a full-scale innovation festival – this time under new leadership from the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s Startup South Bend – Elkhart initiative. Long led by the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame, the torch passed in 2025 to Startup South Bend – Elkhart, signaling a new chapter for the region’s signature celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation. The result was an ambitious, weeklong lineup that blended business, culture, and community into one cohesive experience.

You all did a fabulous job making this happen! Choice of speakers, ways to network, Ethiopian Yirgacheff coffee, the Rise showcase, after hours events – you make me proud to be part of this community. What a gift.” – 2025 IDEA Week attendee

But IDEA Week is about more than busy days. It is a deliberate strategy within the Regional Partnership’s broader entrepreneurship initiative, which focuses on attracting and inspiring founders, increasing access to capital, and accelerating business growth. IDEA Week touches all three – inspiring big ideas, connecting entrepreneurs to investors and mentors, and strengthening support networks across industries. Planning the festival required deep coordination. A core team of five Regional Partnership staff members collaborated with longtime community champions and university partners. In total, 14 venues, 60 speakers, and more than 80 sponsors, vendors, and regional organizations were involved. Sessions reflected the range of entrepreneurs in the audience. High-profile voices like leading podcaster (and South Bend – Elkhart native!) Ashley Flowers of Crime Junkies and GitHub co-founder Scott Chacon shared stages with regional entrepreneurs and digital creators. Sessions tackled everything from entrepreneurship through acquisition to mental health and content creation in the modern economy. Survey data underscores the impact: 91 percent of respondents rated content as very good or excellent, and more than 97 percent said they plan to attend again in 2026.

Overall, I was impressed with organization and helpfulness of staff. This is an incredible and tangible opportunity for folks, and I am glad to have attended.” – 2025 IDEA Week attendee

Still, organizers say some of the most meaningful outcomes are harder to quantify. IDEA Week reinforces regional pride and challenges the notion that innovation only happens on the coasts. It creates visibility for local founders and signals to students and young professionals that they do not have to leave home to build ambitious careers. IDEA Week does not end when the stages come down. Connections forged during the week evolve into founder cohorts, mentorship relationships, and year-round collaboration. Startup South Bend – Elkhart held a series of IDEA Week Presents workshops on popular topics AI and sales during November’s Global Entrepreneurship Week to keep momentum from IDEA Week forging ahead. In that way, the festival serves not only as a celebration, but as infrastructure – a platform that strengthens the region’s economic future.

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

IDEA Week 2025 featured 15 workshops, six keynote speakers, two panel discussions, and three one-on-one consulting opportunities focused on intellectual property, government contracting, and Plug and Play. Evenings came alive with six receptions, four curated dinner parties at local restaurants, and a high-energy concert from Grammy-winning band OK Go – complete with an immeasurable amount of confetti shot from cannons.

For the South Bend – Elkhart region, IDEA Week has become more than an event. It is proof that innovation is not something to import. It is already here – and growing. For more information on IDEA Week 2026, visit IDEAWeek.com.

IDEA Week turned out to be a goldmine of wisdom for entrepreneurs. It also fostered a great sense connection with our fellow entrepreneurs. You’ve gone to a lot of expense and planning to pull this off. What a privilege to be part this.” – 2025 IDEA Week attendee

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

REGIONAL INITIATIVES

In just a decade, the South Bend – Elkhart region has strategically turned state investments into lasting community impact. From the Regional Cities Initiative to READI 1.0 and READI 2.0, these programs have fueled hundreds of millions of dollars in development while strengthening the region’s ability to attract talent, support families, and grow the economy. Here is a look at three of the projects and where they stand today.

Regional Cities Initiative: Hotel Elkhart Located at the corner of Main and Marion streets, the high-end Hotel Elkhart became the gem of downtown Elkhart when it opened in 1923. Conveniently placed between the Lerner Theatre, which opened two years later, and the railway station to the south, the hotel hosted celebrities and dignitaries alike, such as Bob Hope and Robert Kennedy. But, over the years, business slowed, and the hotel converted to senior apartments. Eventually, the building fell into disarray. Cressy Commercial Real Estate and Mno-Bmadsen teamed up to rescue this historic facility, bringing it back to its former glory. In 2016, the $19 million project was awarded $900,000 in Regional Cities funds. In 2021, Hotel Elkhart reopened as part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the hotel company’s line of upscale boutique hotels. It features 93 guest rooms and suites, and nearly 4,750 square feet of meeting space including the top-floor Aria Ballroom. It offers dining at The Corner Bar and Relish Café on the first floor, and a view of Elkhart from the highest building in the city at the High Note Rooftop Bar.

According to Ellie Cachey, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel Elkhart, the hotel generated more than 23,800 room nights in 2025. Out of those nights, 4,338 were group bookings, and another 6,839 were corporate bookings for business travel. Many guests staying at the hotel are in town for major sporting events, such as the NAIA Swimming & Diving National Championships at the Beacon Health Aquatic Center and NCAA competitions hosted by the University of Notre Dame.

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

As a restored historic landmark in downtown Elkhart, Hotel Elkhart serves as a gateway to the broader South Bend-Elkhart region” Cachey said. “Visitors staying at the hotel frequently attend events in South Bend, visit local manufacturers and businesses throughout Elkhart County, explore cultural attractions, dine at local restaurants, and experience the amenities that make the region an attractive destination for both leisure and business travel.” In 2024, Hotel Elkhart was awarded Indiana Landmarks’ Cook Cup for Outstanding Restoration. The award honors a significant restoration project that adheres to the highest standards. The hotel redevelopment preserved many of the historical features of the building, including plaster ceilings, relief moldings and terrazzo floors. Photos courtesy of Hotel Elkhart

“Hotel Elkhart gives visitors a reason to stay longer and experience more of what this region has to offer,” said Jon Hunsberger, Executive Director of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “A boutique Hilton property in the heart of downtown raises the profile of Elkhart as a travel destination and gives us a compelling story to tell – one that connects the city's rich history with a modern, high-quality hospitality experience.”

READI 1.0: Mishawaka Fieldhouse Youth sports are a booming business. And as home to one of the top sports tourism bucket list destinations in the country, the South Bend – Elkhart region is the perfect location for a multi-sports facility. The Mishawaka Fieldhouse is a premier regional sports and events destination featuring more than 220,000 square feet of athletic, training, and community space. Well positioned between major cities and just off the Indiana Toll Road, this project location was determined with a long-term vision to grow this industry sector and mark our region in the entire northern Indiana corridor. The project is a public-private partnership success story, with the City of Mishawaka, the St. Joseph County Hotel Motel Tax Board, and READI 1.0 funding coming together to support the project. The overall project construction cost was $45 million, with approximately $38 million going toward the construction of the fieldhouse. Approximately $7 million funded extensive road preparations and site work. The project received $5.2 million in READI 1.0 funds.

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

The Fieldhouse opened in October of 2024. In its first full year of operation in 2025, the facility hosted 31 different tournaments played by 1,940 teams. This included 750 out-of-town teams, which resulted in an estimated 5,000 hotel room nights sold. With over 20,600 athletes taking part, and more than 42,000 spectators watching, the first year alone resulted in more than $2.6 million in economic impact. The Mishawaka Fieldhouse will only grow from there. In just the first five months of 2026, the facility has already hosted more than 2,000 teams over 20 tournaments. More than 60,000 athletes and spectators attended, resulting in approximately 4,500 hotel room nights booked. "The first year and a half of the Mishawaka Fieldhouse has exceeded many of our expectations,” said Nick Kleva, Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at the fieldhouse. “We've welcomed thousands of athletes, families, and visitors from across the region and beyond. We've seen the positive impact on local businesses, tourism, and community engagement that we envisioned when this project began. Looking ahead, our focus is on continuing to grow the facility's programming, attracting regional and national tournaments, expanding partnerships, and enhancing the overall experience for athletes and visitors. The Mishawaka Fieldhouse is just getting started, and we're excited about the role it will play in shaping the future of sports, recreation, and economic development in Mishawaka for years to come.”

The multi-sport facility includes 10 hardwood basketball courts that can convert to 19 volleyball courts, including a championship court with seating for up to 1,200 spectators. Additional amenities include 12 indoor pickleball courts, a 70-yard indoor turf field spanning more than 22,000 square feet, and five indoor batting cages designed for baseball and softball training, a speed and agility training center, and 15,000 square feet of exterior tenant space. Flexible court configurations, divider systems, and spectator accommodations allow the facility to host simultaneous tournaments, leagues, camps, and community programming throughout the year. Beyond athletics, the Mishawaka Fieldhouse includes meeting and conference space for up to 40 people, supporting business gatherings, team events, and community functions. The facility was intentionally developed to drive regional economic impact by attracting an estimated 30 to 40 tournaments annually, increasing visitor spending, hotel stays, and regional visibility. As a cornerstone investment in sports tourism and quality of place, the Mishawaka Fieldhouse strengthens regional collaboration while creating new opportunities for recreation, economic development, and community engagement across the South Bend – Elkhart region. “The Mishawaka Fieldhouse is exactly the kind of investment READI was designed to catalyze – a facility that doesn't just serve local residents but also draws tourism dollars that support the local economy,” said Taryn MacFarlane, Vice President of Regional Initiatives at the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. “The momentum we've seen since opening day is a clear sign that this region is primed to become a sports destination beyond football season.”

Photos courtesy of Mishawaka Fieldhouse

In the 1920s, Chicago-based Montgomery Ward experimented with a new concept – the retail store. Since its founding in 1872, the company had focused on mail-order sales. That changed in 1926 with the opening of its first storefront in downtown Plymouth, Indiana. It expanded into larger facility in 1929, located at 214 N. Michigan St., with a Beaux Arts concept that became the architectural model for the rapidly expanding company. Eventually, the building housed a variety of businesses, including the local newspaper, but fell into a cycle of deferred maintenance. Heartland Art Center was awarded $800,000 in READI 2.0 funds – part of an overall 5.6 million restoration – to restore and refurbish the building into a regional arts hub. Heartland Art Center is an all-volunteer arts organization that was founded in the 1970s. It is currently 150 members strong, made up of artists and arts supporters. Moving from its previous facility’s 2,000 square-foot space, Heartland Art Center will leverage the Montgomery Ward building’s 23,000 square feet across three floors to expand programming, improve office space, and provide a new event center, while respecting the building’s historical significance.

“When people walk into this building, I want them to see what's possible in a rural community,” said Anna Kietzman, Executive Director of Heartland Art Center. “A century ago, this building represented innovation and opportunity through Montgomery Ward. Today, we’re transforming it into a regional arts and entrepreneurship hub that demonstrates how arts-driven economic development can strengthen rural places. By bringing together artists, entrepreneurs, educators, businesses, and community members under one roof, we’re creating a destination that supports local talent, attracts visitors, sparks investment, and contributes to a vibrant quality of life. READI’s investment is helping us honor Plymouth's history while building a stronger future for our region.”

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

READI 2.0: Heartland Art Center

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

The $5.6 million project will create the main gallery on the first floor, with a gift shop, multi-sensory room and office space. The mezzanine will be the future home of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, as well as a business incubator co-working space. The second floor adds an event space large enough to hold 247 with a catering kitchen. A projected phase two of the project includes an artist-in-residence studio on the second floor, as well as development of the basement to include studios and classrooms. The organization currently holds roughly 20 classes per month, with 300 regional artists involved. It hosts 30 events a year, including the annual Arts in the Streets festival, which attracts somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 people. The organization volunteers $1 million of work hours towards public exhibitions and events, as well as classes at the county jail, schools and libraries, and assisted living facilities.

Once the project is completed, the organization anticipates a 50 percent increase in the number of classes held and members, as well as a 33 percent increase in visitors. The event center will provide entirely new opportunities for events, including weddings, corporate events, and performances.

“The Heartland Art Center project is phenomenal adaptive reuse project that will impact the community in a variety of ways,” said Angela Workman, READI Finance Manager at the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. “You have a historic building with deep roots in this community being transformed into a regional arts hub that will drive economic activity, expand access to the arts, and give Marshall County a gathering place for generations to come. The Montgomery Ward building has been a part of Plymouth's story for nearly a century, and this investment ensures it will continue to be – now as a vibrant center for creativity, collaboration, and community.” Photos courtesy of Heartland Art Center

The Regional Internship Program was developed to keep young, bright talent in the South Bend – Elkhart region. Since its launch in 2020, the program has engaged approximately 200 internship placements across the five-county region. An analysis of the first five years’ participants shows that – much like these former interns – the program is working. Graduates who take part in the Regional Internship Program (RIP) are increasingly choosing to start their careers in the South Bend – Elkhart region. The program recruits students looking for internships for the program. Participating employers gain access to a tailored list of prospective interns, updated as new applications come in. Qualifying organizations can receive a partial wage reimbursement after the program is completed. According to Chad Hartzell, Vice President of Human Resources at Barletta Boats, the program has been beneficial as both a talent development and business impact initiative. During the last two years, they have worked with four interns across Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Supply Chain, and Business Informatics & Data Analytics. The students came from schools such as Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Minnesota.

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

Regional Internship Program

“The program provides businesses with a unique opportunity to access emerging talent while simultaneously advancing key initiatives within the organization,” said Hartzell. “Interns can take ownership of projects that internal teams may not have the capacity to prioritize, delivering immediate value. At the same time, it creates a low-risk, high-impact pipeline for identifying and developing future full-time employees. At Barletta, this has already proven successful, with one intern transitioning into a full-time role post-graduation.”

Interns earn at least $15 an hour, with the average around $20 an hour – roughly $8,000 for the summer. The interns also have the opportunity to take part in professional development, networking, and social events with fellow interns, such as South Bend Cubs games, running the East Race Waterway, visiting the Studebaker Museum and more.

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership conducted an analysis of the of all the interns that participated in the program between 2020 and 2025. Using LinkedIn information, the study looked at post-graduate employment and geographic areas. The study showed approximately 50 percent of the interns have stayed here, and that the region is keeping the young talent increasingly each year. A key indicator for likelihood of staying in the region is being hired for their first job here. Nearly all of the former interns living and working in the region, nearly all secured their first post-graduation job here. Being from the region also helps – local students tend to stay at a higher rate than those from outside the region. The analysis also found that class standing plays a part in likelihood to put down roots. Senior-year participants stay at a remarkable rate. Interns who take part during their senior year are retained at 73 percent.

While Purdue University contributes the highest overall volume of program participants, the University of Notre Dame produces the largest share of retained interns – followed closely by IUSB. These institutions represent high-priority partners for deepening recruitment and employer connections. “We designed this program to turn internships into careers – and interns into long-term residents,” said Lauren Thomas, Director of Talent Initiatives. “The results bear that out. Retention rates have climbed steadily since the program launched, and the evidence is clear that landing a first job locally is the single strongest predictor of whether someone puts down roots here. That's why deepening our relationships with regional employers isn't just a nice-to-have – it's central to everything we're trying to accomplish.” For more information on the Regional Internship program, visit https://southbendelkhart.org/internship-program/

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

25 $1,557,482

in disclosed regional startup investment

in SBIR & STTR Grants

awarded to regional companies

Developed the Regional Arts and Culture Plan

12,500+

$21.18M

miles traveled representing the region across Indiana and beyond

moved to the region as a part of the remote worker strategy

Hosted

119

Regional Internship Program

new residents

21 regional projects

$10,000

Interns were placed through the

dispersed in READI 1.0 funds to

IN the North

in Proof of Concept funds awarded

$56.5M

familiarization tour for site selectors, in partnership with counterparts from northeast and northwest Indiana

Apprentices placed with 15 employers through the LIFT

Apprenticeship Program

University and College students participated in the

Student Immersion Program

Regional Skills Accelerator

trained 550 employees & distributed

$177,898 in funds

Regional Champions Tailgate with over

300

attendees

720

people attended

IDEA Week

17,000

followers across all social platforms

Youtube views up

41%

Watch time hours up 19% from 2024

Startup website users up

47.71%

over 2024

Released the

leadership conversations held with regional decision makers

80+

Community Partners engaged during

IDEA Week

1st

edition of the

Regional Report

2 Women’s

Impact Panels,

bringing together over 200 attendees and 8 regional leaders.

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

Hosted the

2025 16

episodes of

Rooted & Reaching

Podcast in Season 3

210,000+

emails delivered

440,657

impressions across all social media platforms (paid and organic) up 97% from 2024

partner stories shared across the region

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership Foundation Board

South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership Executive Committee

Susan Ford, Chair

Jeff Rea, Vice-Chair

Jeff Rea, Vice Chair

Tim Sexton, Secretary & Treasurer

Michael Daigle, Treasurer

Michael Daigle, Ex-Officio for Regional Partnership Treasurer

Greg Hildebrand, Secretary

Managing Partner and Co-Founder Quarterline & Rock

President and Chief Executive Officer South Bend Regional Chamber

Associate Vice President for Public Affairs University of Notre Dame

Executive Director South Bend International Airport

Managing Partner and Co-Founder Quarterline & Rock

President and Chief Executive Officer South Bend Regional Chamber

Executive Director South Bend International Airport

President and Chief Executive Officer Marshall County Economic Development Corp.

Shannon Cullinan, Member Executive Vice President University of Notre Dame

Suzanne Weirick, Public Representative Commissioner Elkhart County Commissioners

Pete McCown, Immediate Past Chair President Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Carl Baxmeyer

President St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners

Shannon Cullinan * Executive Vice President University of Notre Dame

Michael Daigle *

Executive Director South Bend International Airport

Susan Ford *

Managing Partner and Co-Founder Quarterline & Rock

Larry Garatoni

Garatoni Family Office

Greg Hildebrand *

President and Chief Executive Officer 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

Pete McCown *

President Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Rose Meissner

Jeff Rea *

President and Chief Executive Officer South Bend Regional Chamber

Jill Scicchitano

Economic & Business Development Manager Indiana Michigan Power

Amish Shah

President and Chief Executive Officer Kem Krest

Andrea Short President 1st Source Bank

Chris Stager

President Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County

Dr. Natalie Tucker

VP and Academic Dean Marian University Plymouth

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 * Denotes Executive Committee Member

Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority Board Members Tim Sexton, Chair

Associate Vice President for Public Affairs University of Notre Dame

Kristin Pruitt, Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer President Lake City Bank

Dallas Bergl, Member President and CEO INOVA Federal Credit Union

John DeSalle, Member

President Community Foundation of St. Joseph County

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

Gary Neidig

Pete McCown, Member

President and Chief Executive Officer ITAMCO

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership Board

President Community Foundation of Elkhart

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS Higher Education Advisory Council Brent Brewer

Barbara Craig

Brian Pappas

Peter Christensen

Patrick Englert

Rebecca Stoltzfus

Marco Clark

Jim Frabutt

Natalie Tucker

Katie Conboy

Dee McDonald

South Western Michigan College

Saint Mary’s College

Holy Cross College

Saint Mary's College

Lake Michigan College

Ivy Tech South Bend – Elkhart

University of Notre Dame

Bethel University

Local Economic Development Organization Council Greg Hildebrand

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation

Stephanie Kabel

Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Jeff Rea

South Bend Regional Chamber

Chris Stager

Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County

James Turnwald

Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG)

Indiana University South Bend

Goshen College

Marian University – Plymouth

Martin Mechtenberg

Startup South Bend – Elkhart

Larry Garatoni, Chair Garatoni Family Office

Steve Brenneman Aluminum Insights

Karen Deak

University of Notre Dame

Ray Fraser

Graham Allen Partners

Susan Ford

Quarterline & Rock

Bethany Hartley

South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership

Logan Herzog

RISE – Regional Innovation and Startup Education

Nick Kuhn

Elevate Ventures

Rachel Savoie

Talent Attraction and Retention Committee Andrew Wiand, Chair enFocus, Inc.

Allie Dolz-Lane City of South Bend

Allie Shook

Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network

Amy Roush

South Bend Venues Parks and Arts

Chuck Lehman V3 Companies

Jon Hunsberger

Beacon Health System

Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gary Neidig

Kristen Smole

ITAMCO

Kris Priemer

Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub

Jeff Rhoads

University of Notre Dame

Phil Smoker

StarCraft/Smoker Craft Inc.

Shanon Buari

Anderson Agostino & Keller

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

Entrepreneurship Committee

Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce

Mike Huber City of Elkhart

Phil Jenkins

City of Nappanee

Rob DeCleene

Indiana University South Bend

Tara Antonucci 1st Source Bank

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

THANK YOU, INVESTORS Community Foundations Community Foundation of Elkhart County Community Foundation of St. Joseph County Marshall County Community Foundation

Higher Education Bethel University Goshen College Holy Cross College Indiana University South Bend Ivy Tech Community College Marian University Plymouth Saint Mary’s College University of Notre Dame

Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs) Business Development Corporation Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County Marshall County Economic Development Corporation South Bend Regional Chamber

Local & Tribal Governments City of Elkhart City of Goshen City of Mishawaka City of Nappanee City of Plymouth City of South Bend Elkhart County Marshall County Pokagon Band of Potowatomi St. Joseph County

Private Sector 1st Source Bank Foundation Beacon Health System Garatoni-Smith Family Foundation Kem Krest Lake City Bank Weigand Construction Winnebago Foundation

Utilities & Transportation AEP NIPSCO South Bend International Airport

2025 FINANCIAL RECAP Year ending December 31, 2025 Statement of Activities

2025

Revenue Expenses

$6,534,215 $4,055,365

Net Income

$2,478,850

Income

2025

Contracts for Services Contributions Grants Other Income Interest Income

$715,876 $3,846,865 $1,850,740 $83,652 $37,082

Net Income

$6,534,215

Expenses

2025

Program Services Management and General Fundraising

$3,474,245 $539,540 $41,580

Total Expenses

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership

$4,055,365

25 South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

NOTES

South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership 2025 Annual Report

574-344-4686 635 S Lafayette Blvd, Ste. 123 South Bend, IN 46601

southbendelkhart.org