Why South Bend?
“Why South Bend?” is more than just a question. It’s a powerful movement for spreading the word far and wide about this All-America City, especially why South Bend’s recognized stature as an emerging center of research and innovation make it a smart choice for businesses to invest, grow and flourish in the technology-driven, knowledge economy of our 21st century.
As a question, it prompts people to think about the many good reasons people choose to live and work in South Bend. The answers give voice to an appreciation for the city as a great place to live, while also sharing a sense of optimism about its future.
As a movement anchored in this web site, “Why South Bend?” is a powerful testimony from local business owners and professionals themselves. It speaks to the valuable presence of the University of Notre Dame, Innovation Park, Ignition Park and South Bend’s many other resources and assets that make this a very smart place for businesses build their future and professionals to launch or advance their careers.
The movement began with asking “Why South Bend?” Respondents have begun to share their answers here as you can see in the center of this page. More people are adding their voices to our Facebook page . We are confident there are plenty more voices like these just waiting to be heard, so we’ll keep asking the question, collecting the answers and posting them right here … for all the world to see.

As a graduate student at Illinois State University, I became a huge fan of Jimmy John’s and developed an entrepreneurial interest in franchising in a Midwest college town. The University of Notre Dame/South Bend market was available, and, growing up in Chicago with my parents owning a lake house in nearby Buchanan, Mich., South Bend was a natural fit. My wife, Jessica, and I didn’t originally expect to stay in South Bend. But after finding this to be a strong community with a growing market, we quickly decided that South Bend would become our permanent home and a great place to raise a family. We are continuing to invest in the young talent in our area and have expanded into running other franchises as well. Jessica is very active in a variety of local groups, including the St. Joe County Mothers & More group.”