Regional leaders reflect on a decade of transformation, look ahead to future
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Leaders from across the South Bend-Elkhart region gathered Wednesday to reflect on more than a decade of regional collaboration, investment and transformation at the 4th annual Rally the Region hosted by the South Bend–Elkhart Regional Partnership at the renovated Hotel Elkhart.
Even as COVID-19 was evolving a new normal across the world and disrupting rhythm, the regional partnership along with many other partners trudged on with creating their own kind of normal. One steeped in big dreams, bold partnerships and laser-focused execution.
Celebrating successes and committing to even more progress for the next decade, the group emphasized the power of regional collaboration, long-term vision, and inclusive investment to build a thriving future for all communities in the region.
“We’ve really seen what’s possible when we break down silos, when we reach across borders and when we choose collaboration over competition,” said Bethany Hartley, President and CEO of the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership. “And we know the future will demand even more of it.”
From the revitalization of South Bend’s park system to the expansion of career and technical education in Marshall County and major commitments from the University of Notre Dame, panelists highlighted the long-term impact of shared vision, community leadership and synergy.
In South Bend, the transformation of public spaces like the recently re-opened Seitz Park, Howard Park and the surrounding riverfront was described as a catalyst for community revitalization and economic development.
“It’s kind of neat to see how all these things affect each other. It’s not just one project; it’s all the people behind those projects that make these things happen,” said Aaron Perri, vice president of community impact at the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. “It’s given us the permission and perhaps the justification in the city of South Bend to dream a little bit bigger.”
That investment, Perri noted, has led to the creation of new neighborhoods, restored infrastructure and a completely overhauled park system over the past decade.
Career center spurs CTE growth in Marshall County
Allie Shook, executive director of the Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network, said the county’s READI 1.0–funded Career Innovation Center has become a game changer for both students and adults.
“Before this, we didn’t have a centralized place for training or upskilling,” Shook said. “We hoped it would be impactful but we didn’t realize just how much until we saw it in action.”
Over the last few years, construction has progressed and key spaces like the Automotive Center are now coming online. The result: an additional 200 student seats for career and technical education (CTE) and a 40% increase in student participation.
“Five years ago, we couldn’t have imagined nearly 1,000 CTE applications,” she said. “It’s not even in the same ballpark.”
The center also serves adults, offering workforce development programs and adult education classes. Shook said they’re planning to expand offerings even further, including hands-on enrichment sessions for younger students, giving them early exposure to careers in fields like advanced manufacturing, welding and nursing.
“It’s been incredible to watch it grow,” she said. “The partnerships we’ve built with local industry have made it all the more impactful.”
She emphasized the importance of flexibility and responsiveness as industry and education continue to evolve.
“We have to be willing to change and make it make sense,” she said, citing changing funding streams and workforce needs. “If we’re not collaborating, if we’re not having conversations, then it’s not going to work.”
From quick wins to long-term vision
Tim Sexton, assistant vice president for public affairs at the University of Notre Dame, and who was recently appointed chair of the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority, reflected on the pivotal shift from short-term gains to sustained regional cooperation.
“Fifteen years ago, it was a different conversation. We needed some champions to really lead forward with this vision,” he said. “I honestly think this past decade has been one of the most transformational decades of our history.”
He credited foundational leaders and institutions with catalyzing the region’s win in the state’s Regional Cities Initiative.
“The money brought us together,” he said. “But it was the relationships, the collaboration that really has led to the success we’ve had.”
Sexton also emphasized Notre Dame’s evolving role in the region, noting the university’s growing research engagement and partnerships across county lines.
“Leadership at the university is laser focused on being a collaborator,” he said. “We’re not going anywhere. We have to be successful together.”
The South Bend–Elkhart region has shown what is possible when people rally together across city and county lines, driven by shared vision and relentless follow-through. The results speak for themselves but this isn’t the finish line. Regional leaders continue to choose collaboration over complacency.
Let’s keep building momentum. Let’s keep sharing ideas. Let’s keep showing the state and the country what it looks like when a region rallies together,” Hartley said. “This is only the beginning.”