City of Elkhart

January 30, 2025

City of Elkhart

How the RV Capital is Reinventing Small-City Living

 

Writing a new chapter in urban revitalization while staying true to its innovative roots.

Located in northern Indiana, Elkhart, the ‘City with a Heart’ has earned its reputation as a powerhouse of American manufacturing innovation. The city of roughly 50,000 residents is widely recognized as the RV Manufacturing Capital of the World, producing most recreational vehicles in North America. This industrial hub traces its manufacturing excellence back to the early 20th century when it dominated the band instrument industry, with legendary names like Conn Selmer establishing their roots here. The city’s strategic position at major railway intersections fostered its growth into a vital manufacturing center, while also giving birth to pharmaceutical innovations like Alka-Seltzer at the former Miles Laboratories.

“Elkhart is a wonderful community,” says Mayor Rod Roberson, reflecting on his hometown’s unique character. “It’s always been a city that was small enough to know most of the people if you were kind of an outgoing young lad, but large enough to have substantial commerce.” The mayor points out a fascinating demographic shift that occurs daily – the city’s population swells to eight times its size during working hours as people stream in for employment opportunities.

The manufacturing prowess of Elkhart extends far beyond RVs, creating a rich combination of industrial innovation. “The supplier base is the industry that drives our diversity,” Mayor Roberson explains. “If you make a bed for the RV industry, you probably make a bed for multiple different types of industries throughout the United States.” This diversification has attracted major corporations, with 16 North American headquarters choosing Elkhart as their base of operations.

Beyond its industrial achievements, Elkhart boasts a vibrant cultural scene rooted in its musical heritage. “One thing that has driven our relationship to the arts and entertainment is band instruments and music,” Mayor Roberson shares. The city’s crown jewel, the historic Lerner Theatre, celebrates its centennial this year, continuing to draw top-tier entertainment talent. Combined with a relatively low cost of living and easy access to major Midwestern cities, Elkhart offers an appealing blend of small-town charm and big-city opportunities.

The city has successfully adapted to post-pandemic workforce trends through Indiana’s Make My Move initiative. “We’ve had approximately eight to ten people who have decided to come from all over the country to work remotely here and enjoy the benefits,” Mayor Roberson notes. This innovative approach aligns with Elkhart’s entrepreneurial spirit and focus on quality of life. “We want to capitalize on our unique strengths to make our community livable and create quality of place amenities so that people will be attracted to it.”

Urban Renaissance Transforms Downtown Districts

Elkhart’s downtown revitalization represents a masterclass in thoughtful urban development, combining historic preservation with modern amenities. The city’s approach has garnered international recognition, demonstrating how mid-sized American cities can reinvent themselves while honoring their industrial heritage.

“In 2020, I wanted to take the baton that was passed with some wonderful opportunities and expand it,” says Mayor Roberson, describing his vision for downtown renewal. A key catalyst for change came from community advocacy to reopen a beloved recreation center. This grassroots momentum sparked a broader conversation about neighborhood revitalization, leading to innovative partnerships between foundation leaders and community stakeholders.

The River District exemplifies this collaborative approach to urban renewal. Built on the site of a former foundry that once employed thousands, this area has been reimagined through a $70 million investment in an aquatic center that serves multiple purposes. “We now have collegiate swimming meets that bring 60-70 teams with over 800 athletes from all over the country to compete,” Mayor Roberson explains. The facility doubles as a medical center, while the surrounding district has blossomed with new eateries, office spaces, corporate headquarters, and a grocery store.

The success of the River District has inspired similar transformations across the city. Working with Notre Dame’s architectural department, Elkhart developed an award-winning downtown plan that emphasizes urban design principles while respecting historical context. “They took the best parts of previous plans over the last 30 years and examined how to apply urbanism to our downtown,” Mayor Roberson notes. This vision recently earned recognition at the International Making Cities Livable Conference in Cortona, Italy.

A cornerstone of the downtown revival is an ambitious open-air music venue project, designed to complement the historic Lerner Theatre. “We’re working with partners to create a 6,000-8,000-capacity venue,” Mayor Roberson shares. This entertainment hub will enhance Elkhart’s cultural offerings and drive further development. The comprehensive ASPIRE Elkhart plan ties these initiatives together, focusing on strategic investments in downtown, neighborhoods, and the River District while maintaining a careful balance between preservation and progress.

Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Today

Infrastructure development in Elkhart follows a strategic approach that combines essential utility upgrades with forward-thinking urban design. The city’s comprehensive ASPIRE plan addresses underground necessities and above-ground amenities, creating a foundation for sustainable growth while enhancing quality of life for residents.

“As we build the city for the future, and we like to say tomorrow’s Elkhart starts today, we need to make sure that we’re building the infrastructure along with these amenities,” Mayor Roberson explains. The ASPIRE plan envisions 1,700 new housing units, significantly boosting the city’s residential capacity. This growth demands careful coordination of infrastructure improvements to support the increasing population density.

A major focus is the federally mandated Combined Sewer Overflow project, a 20-year initiative to separate water and sewer systems throughout the city. “What occurs above ground is our ability to create economic and resident attraction to those spaces,” Mayor Roberson notes. The city strategically combines underground utility work with surface improvements, including wider sidewalks, enhanced tree canopies, and buried electrical cables, creating more attractive spaces for developers, residents, and merchants.

Public safety forms another crucial pillar of the ASPIRE plan. A new police station, set for bidding in early 2025, will anchor downtown development while addressing growing security needs. “We’re building a new police station downtown that will include fire administration and dispatch operators,” Mayor Roberson shares. This move serves multiple purposes – it provides modern facilities for the expanded police force while freeing up the current riverside station for market-rate housing development.

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County plays a vital role in these initiatives, exemplifying the city’s tradition of local philanthropy. “We have a foundation that’s one of the wealthiest foundations in the country per capita for a city our size, from gifts from local people,” Mayor Roberson explains. This public-private collaboration ensures that development aligns with community priorities while maximizing available resources. The foundation’s involvement helps bridge funding gaps and supports projects that enhance Elkhart’s livability.

A Vision for Tomorrow’s Elkhart

The next two years mark a pivotal moment in Elkhart’s evolution, as the city embarks on several transformative projects that promise to reshape its identity while preserving its entrepreneurial spirit. These ambitious plans build on careful groundwork laid during the current administration’s first term, setting the stage for unprecedented growth and development.

“Eighteen to twenty-four months are critical to transformational, once-in-a-lifetime projects that we have on the table right now,” Mayor Roberson emphasizes. Having established the right staffing complement during his first term, the focus has shifted to operational efficiency and project management. The initiatives range from the open-air music venue to a new overpass that will create an entertainment district south of downtown. “Some will be done in the next 18 to 24 months, but all will be started,” he affirms.

The momentum behind these projects stems from extensive community engagement and collaborative governance. Through charrette processes and ongoing stakeholder communication, the city has secured crucial public support. This inclusive approach has earned the city council’s backing as projects move from planning to implementation. “In five years, Elkhart will not look anything like or feel anything like it did five years ago,” Mayor Roberson predicts.

At the heart of Elkhart’s transformation lies a philosophy passed down by one of the city’s legendary entrepreneurs, Tom Corson, founder of Coachmen RV and RV Hall of Fame inductee. His words continue to guide Mayor Roberson’s leadership: “You don’t always do things right, but you can always do the right thing.” This simple yet profound advice embodies the spirit of integrity, humility, and accountability that drives Elkhart’s ambitious vision for the future.

AT A GLANCE

City of Elkhart

What: A thriving manufacturing hub and cultural center, home to the RV industry and numerous North American corporate headquarters, undertaking major urban renewal projects including a new entertainment district and aquatic center

Where: Northern Indiana

Website: www.elkhartindiana.org

PREFERRED VENDORS

THOR Industries – www.thorindustries.com

THOR is a global family of companies that make it easier and more enjoyable for families of all types to create lasting outdoor memories. As the parent company, THOR owns more than 20 different RV manufacturing companies in 6 countries which, combined, represent the world’s largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles.

Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau – www.visitelkhartcounty.com

Talent, place, and capital ready for you in Knox County Indiana. Vibrant innovation, solid manufacturing, a nationally recognized university, and a strong workforce. Knox County, Indiana offers excellent strategic opportunities for growth, including critical logistics and supply chain capacity. If you’re seeking a high quality of life for talent attraction, professionals who get things done, strategic incentives, and a central location, consider Opportunity Knox.

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