INNOVATE INDIANA

CURRENT STATE OF THE REGION
& QUALITY OF PLACE
Emergence of Innovation Capacity
Many communities throughout Northern Indiana are actively building and
leveraging existing high-value innovation resources. Others are actively
exploring opportunities in their urban core to foster entrepreneurship,
partner with industry and invest in amenities. Some examples from the
region include:
● Talent retention initiatives such as enFocus, a talent incubator and social
innovation engine based out of the Union Station Technology Center that
aims to find bold and innovative solutions that serve regional industries
with bright, young entrepreneurial talent. Fellows are retained from local
universities for one year to tackle the regional challenges to help bring
transformative economic development to communities, shape socially
focused startups and create new commercial products or innovations.
● The University of Notre Dame is an unparalleled innovation driver with
massive development occurring both on and off campus and increasing
connections between the community and Downtown South Bend. “We’re
going through the most significant boom in construction we’ve had here in
our history”, said Tim Sexton, associate VP for public affairs. Notre Dame
has spent an average of $95 million a year on construction for the past 6
years, will spend an average of $237 million a year for the next three, an
increase of 249%, for a total investment of $1.281 billion in less than
a decade (see map on page 37).
● Active projects on campus include the Stadium Crossroads Project;
McCourtney Hall research building; and two new dormitories, Jenkins
Hall and Nanovic Hall.
● Notre Dame has invested $625 million in the Northeast Neighborhood
since a partnership of the University, City of South Bend, residents and
businesses began a revitalization effort.
● Off-campus investments in projects such as Innovation Park, Eddy
Street Commons, and the Robinson Center have fostered partnerships
to help spur development, infrastructure improvements and a new
private high school in the community. Recently, 42 of 52 new homes in
the Eddy Street Triangle Neighborhood have been built and 128 of 185
new nearby condominium units have been sold.
SECTION 4
REGIONALCITIESOFNORTHERNINDIANA.ORG |
44
STATE OF THE REGION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE REGION ENGAGED CURRENT TRENDS VISION & STRATEGY PROJECTS
& QUALITY OF PLACE
STAKEHOLDERS, EXECUTION
& STRUCTURAL CHANGES
BENCHMARKING
& MEASUREMENT
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT