Irony Alert: Pete Buttigieg’s Announcement Site Made Possible by Vice President Mike Pence

INDIANAPOLIS – When South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg announces this Sunday that he plans to run for president, he can thank Vice President Mike Pence for the making the location of the announcement, Studebaker Building 84, possible.

That’s because major renovations to Studebaker Building 84 – which had sat vacant on the southern edge of downtown South Bend since Studebaker ceased production in South Bend in 1963 – were spurred by $3.5 million in state grants from then-Governor Mike Pence’s Regional Cities Initiative.

“Look up irony, and you’ll find Pete Buttigieg,” said Kyle Hupfer, chairman of the Indiana Republican Party. “After weeks of slinging mug at Vice President Mike Pence, Pete Buttigieg picked a location for his announcement that’s very revitalization was made possible because of support and state funding championed by Mike Pence when he served as our governor.”

Then-Governor Pence championed funding for the Regional Cities Initiative, a talent-driven, collaborative, strategic approach to regional development, which provided $126 million in matching funds to three regions across Indiana.

North Central Indiana – which includes South Bend – was awarded $42 million in matching funds to support 40 projects across the region, including $3.5 million for revitalization of the Studebaker facilities.

While attending the groundbreaking for one of the Studebaker facilities (video), then-Governor Pence highlighted the significance of the project, while Buttigieg clapped in the background in agreement.

“Buttigieg might be earning headlines for his mean-spirted attacks against our vice president in this who’s-the-most-liberal Democratic primary contest, but we know the truth. This Sunday’s announcement – and the very venue housing it – wouldn’t be possible without Mike Pence."