635 S. Lafayette Blvd., Suite 113 South Bend, IN 46601
info@communityredevelopment.org
The Marshall County Career Innovation Center is a regional workforce training hub serving students from 10 rural school districts across northern Indiana. Located on the Plymouth High School campus, the center provides hands-on career and technical education, dual-credit coursework, industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning. In 2024, the project was named National Rural New Markets Tax Credit Deal of the Year, recognizing it as one of the country’s top rural development projects.
Rural school districts faced limited access to modern workforce training, outdated facilities and no centralized location capable of serving multiple communities. Even with public and philanthropic commitments in place, the project faced a nearly $3 million financing gap, putting construction and long-term regional impact at risk.
Community Redevelopment (CR) helped close the gap and move the project forward by structuring and securing New Markets Tax Credit financing. CR coordinated partners across education, local government, philanthropy and private lenders, provided project management support during construction, and helped align workforce planning for a region where manufacturing represents more than 30 percent of total employment.
The Career Innovation Center strengthens the regional workforce pipeline by expanding access to career and technical education for students and adults across Marshall County. The center supports higher-wage career pathways, removes barriers to participation and helps employers build a skilled local workforce.
“Shawn brought community leaders together, broke down barriers and ignited collaboration that continues to shape the future of our Marshall County communities.”
Linda Yoder, President | Marshall County Community Foundation