Thank You for a Great Year!
As we close out the year, many of us are deep into budgets, performance reviews, holiday gatherings and gift giving. Before we turn the page to a new ear, I want to pause and express my sincere gratitude for your continued trust and investment in the Chamber. I often say we work on your behalf—and we are genuinely honored to do so every day.
We’re ending the year on an especially high note with the Chamber earning 5-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This distinction reflects our commitment to excellence across the board—financial management, operations, communications, advocacy and more. But make no mistake: this achievement is also a reflection of you. Your engagement, partnership and belief in our mission are what make recognitions like this possible. I’m incredibly proud of the Chamber staff and Board of Directors who work tirelessly to support our members and strengthen our community.
In this issue, we introduce our newly elected Board members and extend heartfelt thanks to outgoing directors Ted Lerman, Steel Warehouse; AJ Patel, JSK Hospitality; John Smarella, Barnes & Thornburg; and Jason Osterhage, Everwise Credit Union, for their leadership and service. We look forward to the contributions of our new board as we continue mission-driven work that benefits our region.
I also want to recognize the many volunteers who make the Chamber stronger—our Chamber Ambassadors, YPN Ambassadors, and economic development and legislative council committee members. Your time, expertise, and enthusiasm truly champion our members and our work.
Throughout 2025, our team has remained focused on advancing major economic development priorities. From providing clarity and information on the AWS and GM/Samsung SDI projects to helping businesses navigate key decisions through data-driven insights, our economic development efforts have been both proactive and collaborative. Tools like our Economic Data Dashboard, Economic Profile and Commercial Construction Activity Report equip you with real-time information on population, labor force, demographics, education, transportation and commercial development.
Our workforce initiatives continue to play a critical role in strengthening the region’s talent ecosystem. With growing connections between educators and employers, robust Career Exploration Resources, and programs like the Educator Externship and Career Coaching Fellowship, we’re helping stakeholders better understand Indiana’s new high school diploma requirements and identify meaningful career pathways for students. These efforts are essential to preparing tomorrow’s workforce and supporting the needs of our employers.
Meanwhile, our Visit South Bend Mishawaka team continues to shine—developing and marketing our destination to visitors near and far. Their award-worthy social media, storytelling and video production help showcase the attractions, restaurants, shops, and experiences that make our region an exceptional place to visit and live. Record tourism numbers speak volumes about their impact.
We’re also investing in new technologies to serve you better. Our new AI-powered Jobs Board—developed with South Bend Code Works, is gathering job information directly from member websites to create a significantly more comprehensive and accurate listing of opportunities. Our Recite Me accessibility tool allows website users to customize their experience, including multilingual support and enhancements for people with vision challenges. And in early 2026, we’ll launch another digital tool designed to help promote your events in a more dynamic, user-friendly way.
As we enter the holiday season, I hope you find time to rest, recharge and enjoy moments with the people who matter most. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or anyone on our team if we can support you or your business in any way.
Thank you again for your partnership and for helping strengthen the region we’re all building together. Happy holidays and warm wishes for a wonderful New Year!
Jeff Rea | Email me
President & CEO, South Bend Regional Chamber
