Editing South Bend, Indiana (section)

===Technology===
Efforts are under way to spur economic growth in South Bend. The St. Joe Valley Metronet is a {{Convert|50|mi|km|adj=on}} dark fiber optic network that encircles South Bend and Mishawaka that allows for strong telecommunications connectivity.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.metronetzing.org/about.cfm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101205235455/http://www.metronetzing.org/about.cfm |url-status = dead |archive-date = December 5, 2010 |title = About Metronet Zing |publisher = Metronetzing.org |access-date = December 17, 2015 }}</ref> The South Bend Metronet, named Zing, is bringing more high-tech firms to the city and surrounding area. This telecommunications network has allowed for the advent of various data centers in South Bend, which serves as a hub between Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Cincinnati. In 2015, the City of South Bend announced it would provide free wireless internet access via the Metronet in the city's downtown and East Bank areas.<ref>{{cite web |title = South Bend to offer free Wi-Fi downtown |url = http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/south-bend-to-offer-free-wi-fi-downtown/article_5ca6be7a-05bb-56de-aab9-927e5b0caf8e.html |access-date = September 29, 2015 }}</ref>

The [[Union Station Technology Center]] was purchased from the city in 1979 and is currently Northern Indiana's largest data center.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.npr.org/2012/07/05/155916837/a-company-town-reinvents-itself-in-south-bend-ind |title = A Company Town Reinvents Itself In South Bend, Ind. |newspaper = NPR.org |publisher = NPR |access-date = December 17, 2015 }}</ref> There are currently plans to extend the data center into a fully operating high-tech data hub in the old Studebaker "Ivy Tower" assembly plant next door, creating what will be called the Renaissance District.<ref>{{cite web |last = Fosmoe |first = Margaret |url = http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/south-bend-renaissance-district-plans-unveiled/article_4d265c05-6de6-56b9-94b3-19486cc3a71e.html |title = South Bend Renaissance District plans unveiled – South Bend Tribune: Local |publisher = South Bend Tribune |date = May 11, 2015 |access-date = December 17, 2015 }}</ref>

====Innovation Park and Ignition Park====
Innovation Park and Ignition Park, dual-certified technology parks, have attracted technology businesses to South Bend. Located across the street from the University of Notre Dame, Innovation Park was completed in 2009 and houses innovative researchers from companies and the university.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://ignitionpark.com/aboutignitionpark.asp |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100131155554/http://www.ignitionpark.com/aboutignitionpark.asp |url-status = usurped |archive-date = January 31, 2010 |title = Ignition Park an Indiana State-Certified Technology Park |publisher = Ignitionpark.com |access-date = December 17, 2015 }}</ref> Ignition Park, located just south of the downtown area, is planned to become home to {{Convert|3|e6ft2}} of high-tech space on {{Convert|140|acre|m2}} of land previously owned by the Studebaker Corporation.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://ignitionpark.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091103065856/http://www.ignitionpark.com/ |url-status = usurped |archive-date = November 3, 2009 |title = Ignition Park High-Tech Technology Park in South Bend, IN |publisher = Ignitionpark.com |access-date = December 17, 2015 }}</ref> The first tenant, Data Realty, moved into the location in the fall of 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last = Allen |first = Kevin |url = http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/keynews/localeconomy/data-realty-roaring-ahead/article_cd11435a-3e29-11e3-89ac-001a4bcf6878.html |title = Data Realty roaring ahead – South Bend Tribune: Local Economy |publisher = South Bend Tribune |date = October 26, 2013 |access-date = December 17, 2015 }}</ref> The second building in the new park, a research and testing facility for massive turbo machinery, is part of a partnership between the city, General Electric, Great Lakes Capital, Indiana Michigan Power, University of Notre Dame, and the state of Indiana.<ref>{{cite web |first = Megan |last = Hickey |url = http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Groundbreaking-at-Ignition-Park-279257092.html |title = Ignition Park breaks ground in South Bend |publisher = Wndu.com |date = October 15, 2014 |access-date = December 17, 2015 |archive-date = December 5, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205105314/http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Groundbreaking-at-Ignition-Park-279257092.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>