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.

“After working at Stanford and a Silicon Valley pharmaceutical company, I moved from California to join my partner and found Environmental Health Laboratories. South Bend and the entire region has many remarkable social, cultural, and economic advantages that are subtle, and you come to appreciate them best as you spend time here. We have Blue Ribbon Schools, great activities for children, a low cost of living, dedicated hard working colleagues, the intellectual and cultural offerings of great universities and genuinely nice people. They all add up to a great quality of life that isn't boasted about, but is perhaps best appreciated by those of us who have moved into the area to make this region our home.”