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Ms. Bonnano answered that in regard to the food scarcity issue, these initiatives are still just <br /> businesses. Solving a food scarcity issue relies heavily on that business' execution. In regard to <br /> poverty, an example of that being addressed and reduced is the Basque region in Spain. This area <br /> of Spain has traditionally been marginalized. They began setting up cooperative businesses. <br /> Since creation, they now have international companies. <br /> E-Lexus Thornton, IUSB Student, asked, So you're putting businesses into communities that are <br /> owned by the communities, and these communities are putting money in the businesses and it's <br /> coming back to them. Why not take it a step further and put community center banks there as <br /> well? That way people can make their own businesses from there and have the community <br /> flourish even more? <br /> Ms. Bonnano agreed. <br /> Kevin Hoggard, 125 W. Marion St., asked Committee Chair Williams-Preston, Is there a South <br /> Bend Foundation? <br /> Committee Chair Williams-Preston answered that while there is a foundation, it is the St. Joseph <br /> County Community Foundation. She also stated that it was recognized as one (1) of the top one <br /> hundred (100) in the nation in terms of assets. <br /> Ms. Bonnano concluded that Community Wealth Building is a systems approach to economic <br /> development that is designed to try and think about ways to broaden economic benefits and <br /> participation in asset building. Taking inventory of what resources the City already has is key to <br /> moving forward. Strengthen support networks in the anchor institutions. Aim to keep wealth <br /> local. <br /> Committee Chair Williams-Preston thanked the presenter and entertained a five (5) minute recess <br /> to informally caucus with one another. She posed three (3) discussion questions to the body: <br /> Which model resonated with you? What local stakeholders need to be at this table? What things <br /> are already going on that we might want to bring together to align our efforts? <br /> [RECESS] <br /> Committee Chair Williams-Preston brought the meeting back to order at 7:15 p.m. <br /> Antonius Northern, 234 Rue Flambeau, stated, One of the things I was noticing was when we <br /> talk about wealth,we get this warm and fuzzy feeling, because we think of wealth as being <br /> something already built up sufficiently enough that it doesn't need to be touched. But I think a <br /> lot of the concepts being talked about today fits better into the term equity. The reason why I say <br /> that is because when I think about a cooperative, I think about the term equity. I can relate that to <br /> home ownership or any other type of ownership. When you think about owning a home, you're <br /> stilling paying into that through mortgage payments. The reason that concerns me is because I <br /> think a large number of people are concerned with sustainability. You're concerned that all <br /> individuals have access to the things they really care about. This community in particular is <br /> 5 <br />