Marshall County community breaks ground on first phase of new greenway trail and first large-scale housing development in more than 20 years
BREMEN — The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the South Bend–Elkhart Regional Development Authority (RDA), the Town of Bremen, and other local and regional leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of the first phase of the Bremen GROWTH Project, a transformational, multi-site project to expand housing opportunities in Bremen.
The Bremen GROWTH Project — Greenway, Recreation, Opportunities for Wage Growth & Transformational Housing — is supported by $3.737 million in READI 2.0 funding awarded through the IEDC and the South Bend–Elkhart Region’s RDA. The project brings together investments in housing, recreation, and connectivity.
At the center of the project is a planned three-mile greenway trail connecting parks, Bremen Public Schools, and future development sites, along with new housing and recreational opportunities. The broader project is expected to catalyze significant private investment and create new housing options to help Bremen attract and retain the workforce needed by local businesses.
Total investment associated with the project is expected to exceed $40 million.
“This groundbreaking represents more than the beginning of a multi-phased construction project. It represents a commitment to Bremen’s future — to creating places where people can live, connect, work and build their lives,” said Mike Leman, Bremen Town Council President.
The housing component represents a significant milestone for Bremen. The project will launch the Town’s first new large-scale housing development effort in more than 20 years and is expected to add a substantial number of new housing units to the community.
The project is also receiving support through the Indiana Finance Authority’s Residential Infrastructure Fund (RIF), a low-interest loan program designed to help Indiana communities finance infrastructure that supports residential housing development. The IFA lists a $6.0 million RIF award for the Bremen GROWTH Project.
“A special thanks needs to be given to Governor Braun, State Senator Ryan Mishler and State Representative Jack Jordan for their support of these programs in the state budget that allowed Bremen to drive this important project,” said John DeSalle, a member of the Regional Development Authority Board and former CEO/President of Hoosier Racing Tire. “These are the types of investments needed to attract the workforce we need in this region to sustain our businesses and communities.”
The greenway will provide an important connection between Bremen Public Schools, existing parks and other community amenities while also helping open new areas for future development. The broader Bremen GROWTH initiative was designed to link housing and quality-of-life investments with the community’s long-term economic development goals.
“Bremen is growing, and we need to make sure there are enough homes for the workers and families who want to be part of that growth,” said Indiana Governor Mike Braun. “This project will bring the community its first major housing development in more than 20 years while creating connections to schools, parks and other amenities that make people want to put down roots. READI projects like these are a great example of how we grow our workforce, strengthen our communities, and build an economy that lasts.”
For Bremen, the groundbreaking marks the beginning of a project years in the making and the next step in a long-term vision for the community.
As construction and development move forward, project partners will continue advancing the individual components of the Bremen GROWTH initiative, creating new opportunities for housing, recreation, connectivity, and economic growth.
