A Letter from the CEO
Dear Friends, Partners, and Residents of the South Bend – Elkhart region,
As we reflect on 2023, it is with immense pride and enthusiasm that I share the accomplishments and impact of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership in this report. We work under the motto of “Building Stuff That Matters” – both figuratively and literally, as a neon sign with the slogan lights our training room. This theme encapsulates our mission, vision, and the tangible impacts we strive to achieve within our region. It signifies not just physical infrastructure, but also economic resilience through sustainable growth, entrepreneur empowerment, drawing skilled and smart talent to our region, developing the abilities of the people who call our region home, improving our quality of life, and growing industry prepared for changes in the way we work.
This year has been transformative. Our efforts have been directed towards projects and initiatives that create long-lasting benefits, address critical needs, and pave the way for future innovations. We have seen significant strides, each contributing to a more vibrant and robust regional economy.
We’ve watched READI 1.0-funded capital projects rise from the ground, and programs immediately make an impact. For its third year, Founder Factory brought together a sold-out crowd of entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, students, and investors for a day of inspiration and camaraderie. Interns, apprentices, and industry worked together to gain experience and develop new and necessary skills.
As we look forward, our focus remains on building stuff that matters. This means thoughtfully continuing to identify, execute and support projects and programs that have a meaningful impact on our community. It means fostering innovation, supporting regional businesses, and ensuring that our growth is inclusive and sustainable. It means bringing together diverse voices and ideas to the table. It means working together to grow the region in all the best ways possible.
In closing, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, stakeholders, and community members. Your support and collaboration have been instrumental in our success. Together, we are building – not just stuff – but a region that is not only prosperous but also resilient, inclusive, and prepared for challenges that may come.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment. We are a small – but mighty –team here at the Regional Partnership and could not do what we do without the amazing community of partners, friends, and board and committee members who share our vision and passion for the region. You inspire us.
In service and gratitude,
Bethany Hartley President and CEO South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
Building Stuff That Matters.
This report summarizes the work of the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership in 2023.
Meet Our Team
Antjuan
Lori Flotow Manager,
What We Do
Our Mission
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 funding for regional economic development projects, startups, and established companies.
Support initiatives and partners that align to the Regional Economic Development Strategy.
Share and glean knowledge with and from business owners, students, partners, and stakeholders. Tell the story of the South BendElkhart region to external audiences.
The South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership is a collaboration of economic development partners from 47 smart connected communities in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
We serve as a single point of contact for regional communication and seek to create economic opportunities for all partner members through our four C’s: convening, conveying, monitoring and communicating, and catalyzing through focused investment.
Building Stuff That Matters
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.
Startup South Bend – Elkhart 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 high impact businesses.
WE+YOU
Our regional talent attraction brand, focused on intentional attraction and retention of talent in the South Bend – Elkhart region.
Milestones & Timeline
2015
Indiana Regional Cities Initiative
Established Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) and received a $42 Million Grant from Indiana Regional Cities Initiative.
2016
Economic Development Strategy
Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) Plan developed to catalyze growth.
2017
Committees & Strategic Initiatives
Development of Five Advisory Committees and priorities are identified.
2018
The Regional Partnership
Rebranded from “Michiana” to the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership and named Elevate Ventures ‘ “Region of the Year.”
2020
Talent Attraction & Retention
Earned 21st Century Talent Region Designation and launched WE+ YOU regional brand.
2019
Consistency Over Time
The region received a $42.2 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., was named Elevate Ventures’ “Region of the Year” for the second time, and established the LIFT Network.
2021
Smart Connected Communities
$50 Million Grant from Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).
2022
New Beginnings
Bethany Hartley named Regional Partnership CEO and READI funding was allocated to 28 projects. 2023
Preparing for Success
The RDA renewed for a second eight-year term and the region’s READI 1.0 project received Bronze Award from International Economic Development Council.
Featured Stories
ITAMCO’s Regional Internship Program
Success
Students need experience. Businesses need up and coming talent. Funded via the Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation (LIFT) Initiative and READI grants, as well as through company salary matching, the Regional Internship Program brings together students from regional colleges and universities to internships at local companies focused on advanced industries such as technology, manufacturing, data science and analytics, supply chain or logistics management, and research and development.
The program subsidizes half of the wages of up to two approved internship positions for each employer partner, reimbursing up to $2,500 per intern.
Since the program’s pilot year in 2021, nearly $220,000 in funding has been disbursed for 104 internships with 54 unique companies in the South Bend - Elkhart region. Interns
participating in this program earned an average wage of $20/hour, worked an average of 400 hours, and earned an average of $8,000.
Marshall County’s ITAMCO has participated in the Regional Internship Program since its inception. According to Matt Davis, Manager of Training and Organizational Development at ITAMCO, the internship program is a key component to the company’s talent development.
“I really liked the company; it reminded me of a small family-owned shop where everyone knows everyone and has good relationships. My focus when looking for a job was how were the relationships during the workday and this company stood out to me in that category. The growth of the company when I was working here was another big factor when figuring out where I wanted to work.”
RILYE COX Interned with ITAMCO for three years before being hired on full-time.
Remote Worker Strategy
Meet the Movers
Elio Galo
Seattle, Washington
Sales Account Executive, URL Media
After living in Seattle, San Francisco, and Chicago, Elio was first drawn to South Bend for the lower cost of living and concept of a smaller city with a great community, but the St. Joe River is what really sold him. You can follow his adventures on Instagram, @hellosouthbend!
Jessica Hough
Aurora, Illinois
Behavioral Health Intake, Ascension Alexian Brothers
Looking to rebuild her life after a divorce, Jessica moved to South Bend, where her son is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Jessica is finding a home in the South Bend art scene. She had her work shown at the Civil Rights Heritage Center at IUSB and will exhibit at the Corvilla Coffee Shop!
One of the major business trends accelerated by COVID-19 was remote work. Between 2020 to today, the number of full-time remote workers in the U.S. grew from 5 million to more than 16 million. As remote work gives employees the flexibility to work virtually from virtually anywhere, the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s Remote Worker Initiative strives to bring these high-earning, educated employees to the region.
Through programs promoting and incentivizing the communities of South Bend, Elkhart, and Culver, more than 35 new households have relocated to the area. For every dollar invested into these initiatives, more than $8 is generated in new economic impact in these communities.
Gabrielle Tarlano
Dallas, Texas Officer, Sr. Business Systems Analyst, PNC Bank
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Gabrielle and her fiancé moved to Elkhart, when his Elkhart-based employer, Big Dog Adhesives, promoted him from a remote sales position to an onsite operations position. As a Midwest native, Gabrielle was prepared for the distinct seasons, but surprised by the snow!
Third Annual Founder Factory Event
The South Bend – Elkhart region celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week in style on November 15, as Founder Factory returned for the third year. Hosted by Startup South Bend –Elkhart, this startup summit for the South Bend – Elkhart region brings together entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, investors, and students for a day of inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and networking.
Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg kicked off the event, welcoming attendees and citing Indiana’s entrepreneurial strengths. Named the best state to start a business in 2023 by Forbes Advisor, the Indiana Economic
About the Pitch Competition
In partnership with the South Bend Awesome Fund, ten area businesses competed for three $3,500 prizes in a pitch competition. Pitching companies had three minutes to present their idea, with an additional two minutes of Q&A from the panel of judges.
Competitors included a range of businesses, from pet food to beekeepers to technology companies. Winners included Mixxture, a plant-based line of hair, skin, and body products; Mexican/Korean caterer, A Bite with Mee; and BrewHers, an all-female developed and ran brewery.
Development Corp. (IEDC) recently launched ConnectIND, an online portal connecting entrepreneurs to resources throughout the state. Indianapolis was recently announced as the host of the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress.
Lisa Sun, a best-selling author and founder of fashion brand GRAVITAS, gave the keynote presentation, discussing her entrepreneurial journey – including starting a company out of her apartment, the effects of an Oprah endorsement, and identifying and developing key skills and confidence.
Find out who the 2024 Founder Factory keynote will be by scanning the QR code!
23 in 2023
$17,500 in Proof-of-Concept Funds awarded
4 Discovery Tours to Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Grand Rapids, Columbus, & Pittsburgh for stakeholders
30
Interns were placed with 17 employers in 15 occupational pathways
91.6% from 2022 across all social media platforms Followers increased
$250K in Pre-Seed & Seed Round funding awarded to regional startups
8
Graduates from HustleSBE & $8,000 awarded
Launched Rooted & Reaching Podcast
17 episodes in Season 1
459 employees & distributed Regional Skills Accelerator trained $262,530 in funds
282% YouTube views up from 2022
$22.5M in SBIR & STTR Grants awarded to regional companies
50+
meetings hosted with 13 unique stakeholder groups & hundreds of regional decision-makers
IN the North
Familiarization tour hosted for site selectors with our counterparts from Northwest & Northeast IN
48 Apprentices placed with 6 employers through the LIFT Apprenticeship Program
216% from 2022 YouTube watch-time (hours) up
196k+ page impressions across all Startup South BendElkhart pages 158% Followers up 110% WE + YOU post reactions up
3 State of Indiana
250+
Attended the 3rd annual Founder Factory, sold out for the 3rd time
$4M+
Manufacturing Readiness Grants awarded to 33 Regional Companies in 2023
6 regional workshops preparing for READI 2.0 Hosted
344K post impressions across all social media platforms
647% Instagram profiles/ user reach up
771% Instagram impressions up Post reactions/likes up 569% from 2022 from 2022
Regional Innovation Index
125.1
100.5
Regional Initiatives
Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority
Formed in 2015, the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) represents the three Indiana counties of Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph. The RDA is overseen by a five-member board, each appointed by the mayors and commissioners of member counties and municipalities. The RDA is committed to the continued improvement of the South Bend – Elkhart region and receives staffing support from the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, the lead regional economic development organization for the region.
Board Members
John DeSalle
Chair
Executive Engineer-in-Residence iNDustry Labs at the University of Notre Dame
Pete McCown Member President Community Foundation of Elkhart County
Dallas Bergl Vice Chair
President and CEO
INOVA Federal Credit Union
Tim Sexton Member
Associate Vice President for Public Affairs University of Notre Dame
Kristin Pruitt
Secretary-Treasurer
President Lake City Bank
2023 READI 1.0 Portfolio
RDA Allocation by Project Catagory
Board of Directors
South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership Foundation Board
Michael Daigle, Treasurer Executive Director
South Bend International Airport
Pete McCown, Chair President Community Foundation of Elkhart County
Jeff Rea, Vice Chair
President & CEO
South Bend Regional Chamber
Tim Sexton, Secretary Associate Vice President for Public Affairs University of Notre Dame
South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership Board
Carl Baxmeyer Commissioner
St. Joseph County Commissioners
Michael Daigle, Treasurer* Executive Director
South Bend International Airport
Larry Garatoni Chief Executive Officer Garatoni Family Office
Levon Johnson President Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce
Dave Behr Director, North Central Region Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Susan Elrod Chancellor Indiana University South Bend
Greg Hildebrand, Secretary* President and CEO
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation
Susan King President Beacon Health System Foundation
Shannon Cullinan, Member* Executive Vice President University of Notre Dame
Susan Ford Director Graham Allen Partners
Jon Hunsberger Executive Director Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Shelley Klug Manager, Economic & Business Development AEP
Pete McCown, Chair*
President Community Foundation of Elkhart County
Kevin Overmyer
Commissioner
Marshall County Board of Commissioners
Amish Shah
President and CEO Kem Krest
Suzanne Weirick, Public Rep.*
Commissioner Elkhart County Board of Commissioners
* Denotes Executive Committee Member
Rose Meissner
President
Community Foundation of St. Joseph County
Jeff Rea, Vice Chair*
President & CEO
South Bend Regional Chamber
Chris Stager
President
Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County
Andrew Wiand
Executive Director enFocus
Gary Neidig
President and CEO ITAMCO
Andrea Short President 1st Source Bank
James Turnwald
Executive Director Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG)
Linda Yoder
Executive Director Marshall County Community Foundation
[Photo] Regional Stakeholder Discovery Tour to Minneapolis/Saint Paul.
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.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS
Community Foundation of Elkhart County
HIGHER EDUCATION
Marian University’s Ancilla College
Bethel University
Goshen College
Community Foundation of St. Joseph County
Marshall County Community Foundation
Holy Cross College
Indiana University South Bend
Ivy Tech Community College
Purdue Polytechnic
Saint Mary’s College
University of Notre Dame
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS (LEDOS)
Business Development Corporation
Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
City of Elkhart
City of Goshen
City of Mishawaka
PRIVATE SECTOR
1st Source Foundation
Beacon Health System
Garatoni-Smith Family Foundation
Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation
South Bend Regional Chamber
City of Nappanee
City of Plymouth
City of South Bend
Elkhart County
Marshall County St. Joseph County
Judd Leighton Foundation
Kem Krest
Lake City Bank
UTILITIES & TRANSPORTATION
Weigand Construction
Winnebago Foundation
South Bend International Airport
To view the digital version of the annual report, scan the QR Code!
Notes
