DARK FIBER BRIGHT FUTURE
Theme 2022
Higher education and tier-1 research. Advanced robotics and smart manufacturing. Dark fiber and superior capacity. A mindset focused on the future of the South Bend - Elkhart region and the midwest. Forward is the way.
FEATURED STORIES OF 2022
As part of the 2022 Annual Report, the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership wanted to not only tell the story of the region, but show you – the sights, sounds and people – that make this area a wonderful place to work, live, and explore. We hope you enjoy these three videos showcasing our work around the region.
Regional Partnership Overview
Join our President and CEO, Bethany Hartley for a look into the passion and ethos at the heart of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. We are committed to being the conduit for convening and connecting across the region, and amplifying the message of what this region is becoming.
LIFT Internships Making a Difference
Paul Geiger knows what it takes to have a successful internship. A graduate from the LIFT Initiative Internship Program, he continued his career at Robert Weed Corp. as an HR Business Analyst.
READI Funds Impacting Our Region
Tolson Center for Community Excellence in Elkhart County received $2.6 million in READI funds and represents the remarkable next chapter of a long-standing community center.
RESULTS: 22 IN 2022
Together with our stakeholders, the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership reached new heights in 2022. From grants awarded to stories told, here is an assortment of successes from the past year:


WHO WE ARE
Meet our team, board members, and investors
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.
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.
CONVENE
We bring together diverse groups of regional representatives to develop strategies that inform and influence the direction of this region.
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.
COMMUNICATE
Monitor and communicate progress, opportunities, and challenges as they relate to regional economic performance.
CATALYZE
Focus investment to drive economic and community development, partnering to develop innovative solutions to fill resource gaps.
STARTUP SOUTH BEND - ELKHART
Focused on promoting and fostering our region’s entrepreneurial network through ecosystem building.
WE+YOU
Our regional talent attraction brand, focused on intentional attraction and retention of talent in the South Bend – Elkhart region.
LIFT INITIATIVE
Established to formally connect and enhance the region’s innovation, R&D, workforce training, and educational assets and resources to support industry advancement.
MILESTONES & TIMELINE
