South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership

09/01/2026

Three developers are transforming South Michigan Street, with $3.7 million in READI 2.0 funding helping move projects along the Michigan-Monroe corridor forward.

Herstoric Development's Milkweed Commons will bring a coffee shop, restaurant, boutique hotel, and pocket park to two historic buildings. Chateaux 14 Development is building The Monreaux, 57 mixed-income apartments. Penny Hill Properties is redeveloping the former Sears building into 20 new artist studios, plus a new restaurant space.

"Every day you drive by, something looks different," said Taryn MacFarlane, our VP of Regional Initiatives. Combined, the three projects represent $32.6 million in investment.

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Three developers are transforming a stretch of South Michigan Street in South Bend, with $3.7 million in READI 2.0 funding helping move projects forward along the Michigan-Monroe corridor. The work involves Herstoric Development, Chateaux 14 Development and ...

08/28/2026

Good news: we've extended the deadline to Tuesday, September 8. What makes the South Bend – Elkhart Region feel like home to you? Everyone who shares a story will be entered to win 2 tickets to the Notre Dame vs. Rice game!

We're putting together a new Regional Guide, and we want it built from real stories. Maybe you've been here your whole life. Maybe you moved here, came back, started a business, or found your people. Whatever it is, we want to hear it.

Share your story: https://bit.ly/4gxXtt5

08/28/2026

Family farms across our region were just named Hoosier Homestead Award recipients, Indiana's recognition for farms that have stayed in the same family for 100+ years.

In Elkhart County, the Hire family's farm traces back to 1832. In Marshall County, the Hahn family (since 1897) and the Watkins family (since 1873) were also recognized.

That's nearly 500 combined years of these families working the same land — proof of how deep our region's agricultural roots run.

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The Hoosier Homestead Award recognizes farm families that own their farms for more than 100 consecutive years for “their commitment to Indiana agriculture.”

08/26/2026

Last week, Governor Braun handed out the state's Century and Half Century Business Awards, and three South Bend - Elkhart region companies made the list.
Ancon Construction and Nuway Construction, both of Goshen, are marking 50 years in business — half a century of building the commercial and industrial spaces that keep our region growing. Down in Plymouth, Plymouth Foundry is celebrating an incredible 80 years of casting and machining that's helped power Indiana manufacturing since 1946.

Businesses like these are the backbone of our regional economy. Join us in congratulating them on this well-earned recognition!

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Gov. Mike Braun on Monday presented 34 Indiana companies with the Governor’s Century or Half Century Business Award. The honor recognizes businesses for the "dedication and resilience they have shown" over many decades.

08/24/2026

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, Indiana broke ground last week on Woodfield Crossing, a new development that will bring 50 affordable homeownership opportunities to the community. Woodfield Crossing is part of the Tri-County Workforce Home Ownership Initiative, backed by $4.1 million in READI 2.0 funding to build 126 starter homes for workforce households across St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall counties.

This is READI 2.0 at work: $42.5 million in regional investment, leveraging more than $613 million in total impact across 13 transformative projects. Congratulations to the Habitat team, and to every partner who turned dirt with us!

08/19/2026

This month, the Higher Education Advisory Council took college and university leaders from across the region on its first tour — walking the floor at Kem Krest, touring Wellfield Botanic Gardens, and having dinner at the South Bend International Airport.

The goal: turn "we need more skilled talent" into something colleges can act on. Success looks like graduates hired straight out of regional programs, internships turning into full-time jobs, and employers sitting on curriculum advisory boards.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend!

Read more: https://bit.ly/4zsPRRu

08/18/2026

What makes the South Bend – Elkhart Region feel like home to you?

We’re collecting stories from people across the region to help bring a new Regional Guide to life. Whether you’ve always called this region home, moved here, returned, built a career or business, raised a family, or found your community here – we’d love to hear your story.

Tell us your story: https://bit.ly/4bVhf0p

Complete the form by 8:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25.

08/14/2026

Big news for downtown South Bend: construction is officially underway on Colfax Corner, a $135 million project that will bring a restored South Bend Tribune building and a new five-story research and office building to Colfax and Main.

What it means for the region: 400+ high-tech jobs downtown, focused on AI, data analytics, and advanced computing, and a projected $751 million economic impact over the next decade.

Learn more:

Investments in South Bend's "Tech and Talent" district took another step closer to reality on Thursday.University of Notre Dame, South Bend City officials, and

07/30/2026

Happy National Intern Day! 🎉 This summer, we've had the pleasure of working with four talented interns who brought fresh energy and sharp thinking to our team: Meredith Anella (entrepreneurship), Keira Battista (marketing), Mark Chabot (READI), and Ariel Dodds (talent).

These four helped shape our work, executing everything from data analysis to marketing campaigns to program support. All in service of a stronger region!

Thank you all for a great summer. We're excited for your continued development and success!

07/29/2026

Last week, we had the honor of attending the session recognizing the Arts & Culture award recipients from the South Bend – Elkhart region! 🎉 It was a room full of the people and partners who are shaping what our communities look like.

Congratulations again to each recipient. We're excited to see these projects come to life!