Overview

The Greater South Shore Initiative (GSSI) is a regional development effort to position Lake Michigan’s southern shore, from Chicago to South Bend, as a 90-mile advanced research, applied science, technology and manufacturing corridor and as a top North American destination for business, industry, educational advancement and new households. The project began in May 2021, and will run through the end of 2026. GSSI will provide technical assistance to a steering committee representing public and private sector entities, including the identification of and pre-development work across NWI. The 8-month technical assessment, funded by READI, will include mapping and evaluation of existing infrastructure indicating gaps where improvements might be made to better serve all stakeholders. It will address workforce development and equitable investment in underserved communities across the region. READI will be leveraged by the following: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, NIRPC, South Bend/Elkhart Regional Partnership, Alliance for Regional Development, Neighborhood Capital Institute, and Purdue University Northwest. The process will conclude with one to three high-priority projects within the Vision and Launch Plan, consistent with the shared vision of the Greater South Shore, that have been tested for economic and market viability. The project team will work with identified municipalities to package and take to market project concepts developed through the process.