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AWS Data Center Campus

South Bend Hospitality Flourishes with AWS's Arrival

After a long day at work, there's nothing quite like a hot shower and comfortable bed to plop down in. And these days, many construction crews building for AWS are finding both at Hilton Garden Inn and The Inn at Saint Mary's in South Bend, Indiana. On any given night, up to half of the rooms can be filled with AWS construction crews looking to unwind.

"Travelers are being well accommodated, making sure that their reservations are set up correctly, and that we have the staff and amenities to be able to take great care of them," said Bryce Jolly, a Corporate Travel Sales Manager at Hilton Garden Inn and The Inn at Saint Mary's.

He's seen first-hand how AWS's investment has transformed local businesses, including long lines at food trucks near construction sites. Almost daily, the front desk is getting calls asking for rooms.

"People mentioning that they're there working for one of the subcontractors or even just AWS themselves," explained Jolly. "It's definitely had a large impact on our hotels, the business models, and just kind of how we're moving forward."

A welcomed increase in business after the pandemic led to slower traffic, fewer travelers, and an overall shift to hybrid or remote models.

"Hospitality industry definitely had to adjust," said Jolly.

Now, they're adjusting to an increase in demand.

"Whether there be bartenders or housekeepers or front desk workers, we get to stay busy," said Jolly. "When we stay busy, that means we have more hours for more employees, which lifts the morale around here. The impact really does run deep, and we just couldn't be more grateful."

More From AWS

Healing Herself: A Medical Worker's Transition to Tech

At 47, Jennica Manriquez never imagined she'd be teaching others how to troubleshoot complex data center systems. For years, she worked as a mental health technician, dedicated to helping others heal. But after a car accident left her with a back injury, her medical career came to an abrupt end.

During her recovery, Jennica spotted a job posting on Indeed asking, "Are you interested in the infrastructure of the future?" She applied without knowing what it was for. It turned out to be an AWS training program at Ivy Tech. The four-week course has since changed her life completely.

"I was scared at first," Jennica admits. "I always asked my kids how to copy and paste." Technology felt foreign and intimidating. But something told her to take the leap.

The program exceeded every expectation. At the job fair that followed, the Amazon representatives stood out with their enthusiasm and genuine care. Jennica applied immediately.

Today, as a Data Center Operations (DCO) technician, Jennica says she's gone from "ground zero to a level I never thought possible." She's part of a break fix team that keeps critical systems running smoothly, solving problems she didn't even know existed months ago.

"I've never worked at a job where everyone actually wants to come to work," she says, her voice filled with pride. The work-life balance, the supportive environment, and the opportunity for growth have given her a new career and the confidence to take on new challenges.

For Jennica, Amazon is proof that it's never too late to reinvent yourself. She's especially hopeful about what these opportunities mean for South Bend's future.

"This is the best job I've ever had," says Jennica. "I can do anything. It made me feel like I can accomplish anything.”

From Railroad Tracks to Data Racks: Mark Pacheco's Journey

Mark Pacheco never imagined he'd be working in a data center. For 13 years, he was a mechanical operations leader at Norfolk Southern Railroad, becoming a journeyman at just 18 years old. But when Amazon announced plans to build a data center in New Carlisle, Indiana, Mark saw an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I had no idea about what actually took place in a data center itself," Mark admits. Coming from collision repair work, the world of fiber optics and server racks was daunting. But AWS's IP2A program changed everything. The paid training program taught him how to handle delicate fiber optic cables, distinguish different types of connectors, and understand the complex systems that power our digital lives.

Now, while working on infrastructure delivery at the South Bend campus, Mark prepares positions for server racks, managing the intricate cabling that makes cloud computing possible. Within just six months, he's already training new builders. In fact, his mechanical background translated perfectly to this new field.

But the job is just the beginning. Thanks to Amazon's Career Choice benefit, Mark enrolled at IU South Bend to complete his bachelor's degree in political science. Getting his degree wasn’t something he thought was possible five years ago, let alone having Amazon help with some of the payments. "If you would have told me I'd be signed up to go get my BA right now, I'd have told you you were a liar," he laughs.

For Mark, who lives in Niles, Michigan, and has worked in Indiana's Michiana region most of his life, the data center is another example that opportunities exist for people willing to take risks and learn new skills. "Companies like AWS are giving people a chance to show what they can do," he says, his acceptance letter to IU still fresh on his LinkedIn feed is a symbol of possibilities turned into reality.