2025 Year in Review, Part 1

It’s that time of year when we like to look back at development in our community over the past twelve months and look ahead at what might come in 2026. I’ve been writing these summary pieces for the past 15 years. For many years, it was hard to find enough projects to fill the column. I can’t fit it all in one column, so I will split it across two columns. This is part 1.

In technology, data centers received significant attention in 2025.  Amazon Web Services (AWS) completed construction and is operational on several of its data center buildings. Many more buildings are under construction as part of the campus's 10-year buildout. This $11B project will create 1,000 full-time jobs and, upon completion, make it one of the top five private-sector employers in the County.

Microsoft secured land for a future data center campus on Mishawaka's northeast side and plans to begin construction in 2026. Watch for a lot more information on that project in early 2026. Also, Synergy Cells (GM/Samsung) started construction of its new 2M-square-foot EV battery facility in New Carlisle. Construction should be completed in late 2027 with production beginning in early 2028. When complete, it will also be one of the top five private sector employers in the area. 

On the industrial side, Steel Warehouse, headquartered in South Bend and one of Indiana’s largest private companies, opened its new $20M hybrid leveling line. AM General began construction of the new JLTV military vehicle. GTA Containers completed an $11M investment in a new building and equipment adjacent to their Linden Avenue headquarters in South Bend.

Lippert moved into its new 600,000-square-foot warehouse on Old Cleveland Rd. in the Blackthorn area. Just down the road from that, HRP Construction is constructing its new consolidated headquarters and operations campus. Michigan Motorsports recently announced plans to move to South Bend. United Pet Foods began construction of a major warehouse at its Mishawaka facility.  

Gurley-Leep has announced plans for their new $240M, auto mall development at Capital/Cleveland. There, they will consolidate their area dealerships and create redevelopment opportunities at the current Grape Road and Douglas Road sites.  They’ll break ground in 2026.  

The last year saw major renovations and investment in several existing retail properties. Walmart did major renovations at its stores. Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dunham’s found new homes in renovated spaces. Academy Sports + Outdoors moved into the renovated space that formerly housed the Burlington Coat Factory. Princess City Plaza, Indiana Ridge, and Wilshire Plaza in Mishawaka all saw major renovations.

Every annual activity report should include the University of Notre Dame. 2025 was no exception. The University advance projects such as the Shields Family Hall, an addition to the Mendoza College of Business, renovated the south dining hall, began construction on its third geothermal plant, built two new residential halls on the south quad, added Grojean Hall (residential), is building the Veldman Psychology Clinic, and remodeled the main circle entrance on Notre Dame Avenue, to name a few.

Also, the University recently announced plans for the Colfax Corner in Downtown South Bend, a 220,000-square-foot research and innovation district to be located in the former South Bend Tribune building.

Holy Cross College also advanced two significant projects in 2025, breaking ground on a new residence hall and on its athletic complex expansion. At the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, construction continued on the new Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse, north of McKinley and west of Bittersweet.

The fieldhouse will open in 2026.

Be sure to watch for part 2, where I dive a little deeper into development in the healthcare and residential sectors.