Hi, I'm Jeff Rea your host for Economic Outlook.

Welcome to our program and a new season of Economic Outlook.

We're excited to be back.

And we hope you enjoy the show.

And we hope you'll join us each week as we discuss the region's most important economic development initiatives with a panel of experts.

We're kicking off a season of economic outlook.

George and I plan to take you to all corners of the region for an inside look at the people and the projects driving economic growth.

We're sitting down today to look ahead at the season and talk about some of the things you can expect to hear more about.

Coming up on economic outlook.

We've welcome dozens of guests to the studio taking you out, and they're just some great people and projects in the region.

My co-host and I, George Lepiniotis and the others are looking ahead to what's to come in this season of economic outlook.

Welcome, George.

Thank you Jeff.

George, we're back for a new season.

Excited.

This is our 20th season of economic outlook not you and I, but we had some great predecessors who put the program in place.

We're thrilled for the chance to keep telling economic development stories.

I wanted to say welcome back.

Thank you.

And 20 years.

What a great opportunity.

You know, we can see the people that are behind the scenes making our jobs a little easier.

So, you know, it's such a great thing that we do, telling local stories, excited to be a part of it again this year, but really excited for 20 years of the show.

Yeah, George, you know, we're this year celebrating 50 years of PBS Michiana unity.

And so it's been it's been a fun part for both of us.

I know, to be part of that 50 year celebration as well.

So we're looking forward to to a new season.

So George you know we're you know we tell stories of you know kind of people and projects that are driving economic growth.

I think you and I are both a little bullish on what's happening in the community.

Give us a you know, what are you feeling about the economy out there these days?

Well, yeah, I mean, I think, we are bullish on our local regional economy.

I don't know that our national economy is quite as robust as maybe it has been in recent memory.

But, locally and regionally, I think that our economic projects, our development projects are stellar.

I mean, some of the largest projects to ever occur in the state of Indiana, and probably rivaling some of the largest in the state of Michigan, with its large industrial base.

We know that GM is making a large investment.

Amazon is making a large investment, and I understand there are others following in their footsteps.

So we are open for business, you know, and both in in Michigan in particular, the business climates have been such it's typically ninth, 10th in the country in both and both states experiencing some great projects.

You touched on a couple there.

And I think of it like our neighbors in LaPorte, for example, have a wonderful Microsoft project advancing.

You mentioned the Amazon.

We're going to be out early in the season.

Talk about the Amazon project a little bit.

They as you mentioned, the biggest economic development announcement in Indiana's history by more than two times.

And so about $11 billion investment happening here in Saint Joe County that be thousands of construction workers over the next couple of years building that site.

And so, early in the season, we're going to have a chance to give you some additional insight from executives from Amazon and Governor Holcomb and some others that are going to be, here to celebrate, that opening or that the groundbreaking for that.

And so we kind of, you know.

Yeah, I mean, it's very exciting.

And, you know, when we think about when we talk about these projects and what they bring to our region, it really does touch so many lives.

You know, the Amazon project is something where, they worked with our firm, they worked with your Chamber.

They're going to work with local construction companies.

They are working with local landowners.

They are working with local internet and other service providers.

There are just the touch points are immense.

And when we really do say that these are large developments, it isn't just an outside company coming in, building their thing and taking off.

Maybe this is an investment in the community and those dollars are really felt here in this community.

I think long term too.

We all hopefully, you know, feel some benefit.

This will be the largest taxpayer and Saint Joseph County that as and as we grow the pie, everybody's piece of the pie gets a little bit smaller.

And so we're excited to to see those happening on the data center side in particular, Indiana has done well with Google and Fort Wayne with meta, down on the Ohio River, with AWS, with Microsoft in LaPorte, Microsoft here in Saint Paul County.

And so certainly the climate is right for data centers.

And if some of you remember, last season, we talked a little bit about data centers and why that climate was right.

My guess is because of of what's happening in that space.

We'll focus on that a little bit more this year, too, as we dive deeper into, into those opportunities.

But but I think you you bring up a great point.

Like it.

Hundreds of people that have to come together to put this puzzle together.

And so whether it's the AWS for GM project or it's the project we're sitting in here.

So, you know, sir, you and I are are downtown Mishawaka right now we're at an ironworks, event, center, overlooking Beutter Park And it's kind of near and dear to me a little bit.

I spent a couple of years, here and in my past, I was at the economic development director many years ago overseeing the demolition and environmental cleanup.

And some of the early stages of redevelopment.

The mayor has taken that torch and made it burn bright and brought some great development opportunities here.

And as we look out windows on either side of where we're sitting today, we see new residential construction happening.

We see lots of people out walking to the river walk, and then we're hearing, you know, other plans too.

And these are some things I think we'll touch a little bit more on as the season goes, as the no.

Phase two is under construction and the Avalon has just finished construction down here.

And now, there's some hope for the 100 Center And so some of the, the old timers, and I put myself in that category now, remember, the 100 center and it when it in its heyday, it was the vibrant gathering place and, mixed use development, happening down here.

And so, under one owner now with a plan to redevelop that and seeking, looking some for some grant funds, those kind of help do it.

So I think there's a great story there that sort of show the current condition of the 100 center and talked about the vision for that and how it fits into this larger picture.

But but none of it happens without lots and lots of people putting the pieces together.

And.

Well, thank you for telling our viewers where we're at, because it's obviously not the studio.

The crew and I had had.

That's on how long it would take you to reference, that we were downtown Mishawaka.

Given your love for for Mishawaka in mind as well.

Mishawaka, and we chose this place, I think, somewhat purposefully, because we really are proud of what Mishawaka has done.

And it is an economic case study you know, a unique place where you have strong residential.

You and I talked about before, most people forget that many of our regional shopping areas target, Costco, the mall are all in the in the Mishawaka address.

And you know that that is just but one part of Mishawaka going.

And this downtown has really taken off, in a unique way, but a great way.

We've done shows down here before with Mayor Wood, who has worked really hard.

And I know you worked hard as the previous mayor to do probably even more of the the dirty work.

You know, this was a large industrial site.

And to see it today, as I look out these windows, it reminds me of probably what our region looked like a couple hundred years ago.

There's a just a nice natural setting to it, but yet so much fun to do.

Yeah.

You know, it's interesting because I think we we pick up on some themes and, you know, I've had a chance to to tell those stories a little bit over recent years.

And when you think about, you know, characteristics.

And so we think about, you know, brownfields, for example, and in each of the communities in our viewing area has had them and has tried to figure out how to redevelop them.

So, so if you're in South Bend and you think about Studebaker now, Drewry's is now finally, going to be demolished to keep our fingers what we hope and I was talking about Dodge and Elkhart, so, you know, the rest of the summer there.

And so really each of the communities is wrestling with it, and they've all made a pretty strategic commitment to open up riverfront access.

And I think that's exciting.

As we sit here and watch people just walking by very regularly, enjoying the river on a part of Mishawaka, I've never, ever saw the river before 2000, you know, probably it's so, Elkhart on a phenomenal job on the in the River district, opening up the riverfront and attracting uses similar to what we see here.

South bend and similar has activated the riverfront and continues to do that will be at Seitz Park at some point and show you the cascade, the new investment that's happened up over there, because again, they've activated that riverfront, in that area.

And Sites Park will finally get open after a couple of years of closing.

But then if you get into Niles and Buchanan, you know, even go up the, up the river a little bit, that water is such an important part of the revitalization.

And the water used to be a, really critical driver of power.

It's all of the industries located there, and now they move somewhere else.

And so.

So sort of like, I think it's been really fun for both of us to tell those stories a little bit and, and share those case studies a little bit.

And each of the teams are out.

And our goal always is to get out to the broader geography.

We in our viewing area really goes, you know, kind of Warsaw Kosziusko Warsaw County all up in the, you know, central Benton Harbor.

And they want to make sure we're well and and, you know, and that was something that I was going to mention.

And that is really a testament to who you know, you are who we are.

If you were the mayor of Mishawaka.

But I know that you continue to have a presence in, in Berrien County and in other places, and it is that super regional, nature of our economy.

We've said this before on the show that, you know, New Buffalo's strength is good for South Bend, is good for Elkhart, which then is good for Niles.

And, as you know, goes on in Saint Joe, but is such a regional economy.

I remember a couple of years ago we did a show where, one of, one of the economic development folks up in, Berrien County was tracking cell phone usage to see how people were crossing the border.

And it really is he he found that they they start in the South Bend region and they stopped up, you know, kind of within our viewing region.

So I think this shows a great opportunity for us to tell the stories around.

They're all parts of, you know, every part of what what brings it to it.

We talk about the water.

I still think that the water is the power of the region.

You know, every community is touched by some form of waterway, whether it be, you know, the port's wetlands or its the river or it's, Lake Michigan all of those are such vibrant parts of our community and the economy.

Yeah, yeah.

And it's interesting is that people will make sure we get out to some of those, spots, you know, and I think of, of just this water here, for example, you know, 1950s, early 1980s wastewater treatment even isn't even here yet.

And this isn't a place that you want to go out and enjoy.

And now you there's hundreds of people that that travel every day on the Riverwalk.

And some of these things take time.

You know, it's interesting when we talk to, you know, some of our guests, these are sometimes seeds that were planted a long time ago that took a little while to cultivate and fertilize and grow.

And I use the river system, for example, was the 1970s, 1978, where there was a plan put together that connects, South Haven and Elkhart.

And in each of the communities over time, it's sort of, chipped away at that South Haven trail, for example, take you South Haven to Kalamazoo, and they've looked at the former rail line that goes from Kalamazoo down to South Bend, up through South Bend into Mishawaka, Mishawaka and MACOG just started looking at how do we connect benchmarking Elkhart.

And so that's to be sort of the next phase.

And and that seems like a long time ago when you start talking about 1978.

But we're here a day or so.

But thankfully folks were thinking ahead.

And so, you know, how do we influence what's happening in communities?

And so just, let's shift a little bit and sort of talk industry because, you know, and I would say like, like in our role here, we're talking about, you know, kind of people and companies and projects and the you see a lot of attention and people love it, I think, because they want to know more about what's happening, but what's going on in these companies, too, and the chance to sort of go and show, the innovation that's happening there.

Sure.

That a little bit.

George, you've been out in the, into some of those companies before and seen, you know, the robotics that's happening there or have been out to the idea center to talk about what's going on there.

But, you know, as we think about that, it would kind of look like for us this year.

You know, it's a great question.

I'm excited to see kind of a firsthand view of what Amazon's doing.

I think the data centers are somewhat misunderstood.

There's a sci fi perception of them.

You know, they don't buzz at night.

They, you know, there's they're they're definitely very vital to what we do in a digital economy.

So I'm excited about that.

Always excited to see our smaller businesses that tend to be larger than we give them credit for.

I we still have yet to go see Claye's Candy's new facility is built a shiny new, factory out on the west side of something.

And that I think, if it tastes just as good as the old place we're going for sure.

Right.

But, you know, there are so many that I can think of Edgewater Automation that we visited a few years ago that makes automated assembly lines, that push the envelope and are so much more than you would think in a sleepy corner of the Midwest.

Yeah, I think it's fun as we're in those conversations, just even talk about the employment opportunities.

We spent a little time in the education space, too, because we want to make sure, people are educated for the jobs of tomorrow and such.

And so, I think that'll be great to look at.

I want to maybe build off of, you mentioned like AWS, for example, and data centers that, start eliciting conversations about power and other things.

You know, we've talked a little bit briefly and maybe, some focus if you're on, on some things happening in the power space.

So for example, solar is high on everybody's list.

On one list or another, right?

Yes, exactly.

But but I think some, some unique solar opportunities, for example, are doing some on campus.

There's some solar happening out on the west side and south side of the county.

There's some Crossroads Solar, for example.

The company in South Bend is building solar panels, for example.

And so we're I think we're we're hoping to dive a little bit deeper with that.

We've done a few shows on solar in the past, but as it garners more attention from people here locally, I think it would be beneficial for us to spend a lot of time on some projects.

You know, solar is, as I mentioned, some others become, a lightning rod topic.

You know, much more so than many other power technologies.

And, you know, generating power is never an easy thing, right?

There is no one great solution.

Our region is, is home to two nuclear plants.

One is about to be restarted by the state of Michigan and the federal government in Palisades and billions of dollars are being spent on that effort.

The Cook Nuclear Plant had an effective life when it was built of 25 years.

And here we are 45 years later, and it's still going strong.

You know, I think all of that is a testament to our connection to energy.

And, you know, looking at solar as anything but an energy solution that I think is wrong.

I think that we should look at solar and understand how it can play a role.

Is it the solution?

I don't know that I was very excited to spend some time at Notre Dame with the professor, who really looked at a number of different technologies that are emerging in that industry, including micro nuclear reactors that are going to power university campuses and such.

So I think there's more to come, and I would be very surprised if our region didn't end up being, at the forefront of some of those new efforts, as it's always me.

I think, you know, it's interesting, I think at the crossroads of America, people thinking of the logistics side of this, but but also on the power side.

And you think of like we've been up to Indec and and the power plant up.

And now, as you mentioned, the two nuclear plants sent to energy center here.

So so we're in the middle of, of the production of some of those powers.

The growth of solar got some hydro going a little bit as well.

As part of the site part, you know, project out to do, some things on campus and, and so a lot of different pieces there.

So I think the energy piece is such an important conversation.

Data centers that listen to power and water conversation.

Sure.

So I think it would be appropriate that some water conversations, this year to, to sort of help people better understand, just the aquifer and the use and some of those kind of things that, that really are driving the economy is without the plentiful aquifers, that we have here.

We're not in the mix for big projects like GM or Amazon or Microsoft.

And at the same time, I think our leaders have been thoughtful about protecting the environment for not just making it a free for all with it.

However, you know, it is a tool, it is a resource.

And as you mentioned earlier, that in years past it's been a darker resource.

It's been a place where we've, you know, flushed waste and industrial waste and human waste that's no longer happening.

I mean, when we go, when you go senior natural waterways where we sit today is a great example.

Walk over the pedestrian bridge, on the north side of the park and take a look at the water.

Almost looks like something you want to swim in.

And that's not something you could possibly ever thought of even 30 years ago.

Yeah, right before we taped, I walked right down to the water.

That's something very similar.

It was very clear.

It was really, really neat to see.

And, and so, yeah, excited to see this.

We'll dive into that a little bit deeper as I think of some, other topics, you know, in our agenda, like, we typically spend a little time on campus and in the rain gets a lot of the attention.

We have a lot of other college, opportunities here locally as well.

ISB, for example, is open to a brand new medical lab, which is just phenomenal.

And so we hope you'll get a chance to get out there in the next few weeks and, and see this where we're, it feels like a hospital setting.

You're giving, students some real world, training.

It's hard to put that into words, which is why I think getting you out to sort of show places like that is going to be really exciting, but to tackle the not just universities and kind of their influence on the community.

Well, I've had the privilege and the pleasure of going to a number of our universities, including IUSB, Notre Dame, we have Holy Cross, we have, Saint Mary's, we have Andrews University up in Berrien Springs.

Therefore we have a number of higher I USB.

We have a number of higher education institutions here and, and those, you know, those are very vital to training a workforce that is able to sustain these types of projects.

It is while workforce development still may still, you know, remains an issue.

I think in part it isn't because of there's there's a lack of educational opportunities.

You know, you said Goshen College and then I thought eventually university or, the nursing program down there that we visited last season, and the efforts that are being made to train nurses in the vital roles, that other vital roles that we need in society.

So, you know, without those educational institutions at the most fundamental level, there wouldn't be much.

And then, of course, you know, whether wherever you are, whatever your alma mater might be, I think we can all agree that Notre Dame holds a special place amongst a group and not only because of its size and its international presence, but because of that leadership that it brings.

It's doing a great job of commercializing technology, giving both students, faculty and community members an opportunity, to utilize the university's resources, to get their ideas launched.

So it becomes a cornerstone of our community in a state in our name.

For a quick second, because to two projects that announced that, I think our our viewers want to know more about is that Notre Dame downtown project, which is the purchase of former South Bend Tribune and building and the redevelopment of that block.

And so we'd like to feature that and hear more about what's going on.

And then and then recently the Northern Edge project, this is on 933 and Douglas Road north of campus, and I would call it a and Eddy Street light, development, mixed use development that's there that, that, that stands to bring a lot of new residential units and some excuse commercial and such.

And so going to be an exciting investment.

And so we hope to dive deeper into those, this year as well as we get into our last five minutes or so, George, you know, a couple other things on the, on the agenda, like the the Indiana General Assembly meets, in the middle of our season, and this is a budget year.

And so we pay close attention to that.

So we'll be following issues.

You know, it's interesting as I watch, you know, kind of what's on the agenda already.

They're talking about something we've already been talking about with, energy or water or some of those kind of things.

And because it's a budget year, we will we'll certainly be looking at those priorities and such.

So, so that's a, something that we'll pay close attention to.

We just, had the submission for ready applications here in last couple weeks.

Ready was, a fund from the state of Indiana that put $500 million out for quality place improvements in the state.

So our RTA is currently contemplating, the award on, those projects and will sometime this summer.

You know, the first half of this year come up with those projects.

So it will be a chance for us to feature some of the ready projects and talk a little bit more as well, too.

So, certainly a lot of, you know, kind of fun opportunities for us and anything else that, you know, pops to your head, what you know, that or you'd like to make sure you put me on the spot.

I know I really yeah.

So I'll tell you, I, you know, you say fun, and I think we have.

There's probably no more fun.

One place to go visit here.

In our region then, for Four Winds Field the South Bend Cubs.

I know I saw on the front page of the Tribune the other day, they have started their project, or at least our our beyond some milestones.

So I think that experience is going to be almost unrecognizable next year or the year after.

I, I don't recall how long construction takes.

You probably know.

And I think that, you know, it's always great to see a great product on the field, but even more importantly, it's just such a great place for families.

We talk about quality of place and what that brings.

It brings a sense of belonging to folks who might come here or be attracted to come here, to help, the economy grow, you know, to get jobs and to be a part of the community.

So there's nothing more fun than the Cubs I think going back home, I'm from Berrien County, so getting up near Lake Michigan is always fun.

I know, I'm sure we will have, some stories from cornerstone and our partners up in, up in Saint Joe Benton Harbor about some continued growth there and, some changes in those communities and developments.

And, you know, I look forward to getting back out because we are still county, we haven't been out there in a couple of years, and we know they are.

They have a lot of, great things going on.

Yes.

I think a couple others that we're in a critical inflection point with South Shore, for example.

We've done that a few times that, the application for federal funding should be ready late 24, early 25.

And so I think that's going to be top of mind of people here locally.

And so with a chance to really dive into what that what that plan looks like by then working on refining that, I think that's a that's a 1991 temporary plan.

That's, that's lasted a long time.

And now, time to contemplate something different.

And, and for us, you know, to, to give folks a chance to really understand that at a bigger level.

No disrespect to the other forms of media, but, the those quick stories sometimes don't allow you to dive into the depth that we're able to do.

You touch real quick on, on just, moving out to the broader and and I and I think that's such a critical priority for us is to get out across that region.

And so I think rely heavily on our viewers and our partners across the region to suggest those unique opportunities that they, you know, for us to go and I hope is that, we get on the road and we go, we go do something that I love to do it.

I think that, you know, we've been to as far east as LaPorte La Porte County.

They've got some, great opportunities going on.

Mayor Dermody over there is doing a nice job.

We've been as far north as.

But we've been open to Sodus.

The bypass, is complete and connected to 94 and 96.

And I think we're seeing the effects of that.

I mean, it's become quite the hub right here at home.

We're seeing a lot of development in both Mishawaka, South Bend, Elkhart, you know, down into Marshall County.

Can't forget Marshall County and some of the great stuff that they've they've taken, the bull by the horn down there and maybe the masters of their own destiny.

Yeah.

He's George Lepeniotis he's my co-host George.

Welcome.

This could be a great season.

Look forward to working.

Well thank you Jeff I appreciate you working with us.

That's it for our show today.

Thank you for watching.

Remember to tune in to us each week on WNIT Watch for us at the wnit.org.

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Follow us on Twitter I'm Jeff Rea I'll see you next time.

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Thank you.