PSA - Four (4) Month Recast Boost for Target Jurisdiction and Property - Recast City LLC

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business leaders, and community groups must understand what needs to be in place to spur a paradigm shift from the conventional economic development approach to the specifics of growing small manufacturing. Anchor institutions, such as universities and hospitals, can enhance workforce education, create demand for products, and spin off ideas that can be brought to market. State and federal governments can provide funding for training and infrastructure. And finally, the case needs to be made to the private sector that small-scale manufacturing businesses can thrive and be a real estate benefit in both a light industrial land use environment and in a commercial area; in turn, the private sector can offer partnership opportunities in neighborhood development. SGA's initiative aims to position communities to reap the benefits of a small-scale manufacturing sector to strengthen their business base, reinforce goals for cities and neighborhoods, fill vacant properties, create vibrant places, and build a strong pipeline of businesses to grow locally. South Bend is a city built on a foundation of manufacturing that endured the loss of the Studebaker Corporation and other major employers in the post-industrial era. The population in South Bend hit its peak in the 1960s when a majority of the workforce was employed in the manufacturing sector. Shortly after, like many other post-industrial cities, South Bend experienced severe job loss and population decline as heavy industry closed or relocated overseas. Despite a troubling transition —particularly �, I for working class and minority residents — the city has begun to rebound and remains a manufacturing center. Leadership, skills, and commitment to manufacturing persist and have signaled an awakening of small- scale manufacturing. The growing sector is providing competitive jobs and beginning to take advantage of the city's legacy of older industrial buildings. Manufacturing employment in the South Bend-Misawaka metropolitan area dipped to 16% in 2009 and has since climbed back to 18% in 2018 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). The City of South Bend has led a number of initiatives with industrial -sector partners and local employers to revive manufacturing in recent years. Zoning adjustments, financial incentives, job training, and other resources have been designed to attract small-scale manufacturers. By supporting the South Bend Regional Chamber's St. Joseph County Manufacturing Day and South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership, the City is increasing the visibility of manufacturing careers and providing support for emerging entrepreneurs. The City is also backing a handful of coworking, incubator, and educational spaces like LangLabs and Vested Interest, as well as Ignition and Innovation Parks where aspiring innovators from the University of Notre Dame and other emerging entrepreneurs accelerate and commercialize their products by connecting with investors and industry experts.