South Bend – Elkhart region celebrates ribbon-cutting of two READI 1.0 projects
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (October 1, 2025) – Two Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 1.0 projects celebrated their grand opening on September 19 – the Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub in South Bend, and the Marshall County Career Innovation Center in Plymouth.
“These celebrations honor more than two transformative projects – it marks the realization of our region’s vision through READI 1.0,” said Bethany Hartley, President & CEO of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. “The Marshall County Career Innovation Center will equip students and workers with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow, while the Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub will fuel innovation, collaboration, and business growth. Together, these investments strengthen our talent pipeline, support entrepreneurs, and create lasting opportunities that will drive the South Bend – Elkhart region forward for years to come.”
The Marshall County Career Innovation Center (MCCIC) serves both individual students and the community by building upon an existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) cooperative among area schools. The $10 million project received $1.75 million in READI 1.0 funds and features the adaptive re-use of existing building space on the Plymouth High School campus, as well as the construction of an automotive center and a new greenhouse. The center offers an expanded suite of programing for high school students, including automotive technology, veterinary science, culinary arts, among others, and training programs to upskill adult workers.
“The MCCIC embodies our shared commitment to preparing students, adults, and our workforce for the careers of both today and tomorrow,” said Allie Shook, Executive Director of the Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network. “It is a place where education converges with innovation, where ideas transform into tangible skills, and where strong partnerships between schools, businesses, and the community will forge a robust future for Marshall County and the entire region.”
The Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub repurposed more than 60,000 square feet through two blighted buildings in a federally Qualified Census tract in South Bend. With $1.13 million in READI funds, the 1.5-acre site is now a regional hub for entrepreneurs, investors, and startup enthusiasts to work and live. With a focus on connection, Momentum is home to dedicated workspaces, programming space, and private offices – where entrepreneurs connect into the rich network of other entrepreneurs, as well as entrepreneurship support organizations, venture capitalists and mentors in the region. The housing component – the Soma Lofts – provides twelve apartments, including affordable units targeted toward entrepreneurs.
“We designed for connection,” said Kristopher Priemer, founder and CEO of Momentum. “We obsessed over the coffee. We picked every light fixture so that people would only see better, they would think better. Because South Bend doesn’t need to settle, South Bend deserves better: better energy, better spaces and better beliefs in what’s possible.”
Managed by the Indiana Office of Commerce, READI encourages regional collaboration and data-driven, long-term planning that will attract and retain talent in the state. The South Bend – Elkhart region was the recipient of $50 million in READI 1.0 funds in 2021. In 2022, the RDA awarded $40 million to 17 of Quality of Place projects and $6.4 million in funding to 11 programs, resulting in an estimated $448 million in additional private and public investment. The full list of regional READI 1.0 projects can be found here.
In 2024, the region was awarded an additional $45 million in READI 2.0 funds, which were preliminarily awarded to 13 projects by the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority in December. The remaining projects are currently in the process of approval by the Office of Commerce and can be viewed here. The READI 2.0 grant funding is anticipated to infuse an added $613 million of total regional investment across the projects.
For more information about the South Bend – Elkhart region’s READI grant, visit www.bit.ly/READIsbe.
To learn more about the READI grant program, visit www.IndianaREADI.com.
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About the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership seeks to unify and collaborate so that together, the communities across the region to work together to achieve what cannot be done individually. For more information about the Regional Partnership, visit SouthBendElkhart.org.
About the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA)
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. For more information about RDA, click here.
Media Contact
Liz Folkerts
South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership