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.

"When I decided to attend grad school, I found that South Bend and the University of Notre Dame offered the best combination of lifestyle and educational excellence that I was looking for as a young, single professional. After completing my studies, I discovered in starting EmNet – a high technology environmental company that creates efficiencies (saving literally millions of dollars) in wastewate infrastructure – that South Bend is a city that embraces entrepreneurship. People from the City's Public Works office have been very supportive of our efforts."
"My wife, Carrie, and our son, Armando, now enjoy living in the great neighborhood of Old Sunnyside Farm, which is less than a mile away from our office in the East Bank Village. We enjoying strolling to downtown or Notre Dame, both less than two miles from home. We like the blend of the urban lifestyle with the convenience of being a few steps away from work, restaurants, and other amenities."