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Partner with anchor institutions to host a Reverse Pitch Competition. These <br />events work with major companies and anchor institutions to identify items in their <br />supply chain that they could procure locally or problems they want to solve with new <br />innovations. The events are a great chance for local product businesses to understand <br />the needs of major regional entities and then come back to the table to offer services or <br />products as needed. Additionally, anchor institutions can make local procurement <br />commitments similar to Johns <br />Hopkins Local in Baltimore. <br />Leverage programming and <br />funding in the LIFT Network <br />and LIFT Catalyst Fund to <br />invest in entrepreneurship <br />training and business <br />development for small-scale <br />manufacturing businesses. The <br />new ro ram could be a key <br />resource to build an inclusive <br />program into South Bend's <br />neighborhoods and bring more <br />opportunity to <br />underrepresented populations. <br />5. Bring people together more, <br />This may sound simple but it is in fact key to the success of downtown South Bend, the <br />business community, and the local economy. People feel tied to a community when they feel <br />included and have places (and events) to come together. South Bend has achieved significant <br />momentum and can build on the good will through programming and targeted small group <br />conversations. This includes a diversity of activities such as: <br />• Program events on Sample Street and Western Ave, and in other neighborhood <br />centers to bring residents together more often in ways that celebrate South Bend. <br />Building on the programming led by DTSB, these new events should be sponsored by <br />different populations to ensure that everyone sees their community reflected in South <br />Bend. These events help to bring a critical mass of people into the community, <br />showcase local businesses, and drive spending. Additionally, these events create <br />South Bend's identify —what is it known for now? What does it want to show off to the <br />region? How will it stand out? Programming helps to answer all of these questions. A <br />community development corporation or a downtown improvement district could <br />facilitate the programming, similar to 3CDC in Cincinnati. <br />• Support more housing development in downtown. Activities, stores, and people all <br />benefit from more housing downtown. This will be essential for the future economic <br />viability of downtown South Bend. Adaptive reuse of existing buildings and new <br />construction in downtown will help fulfill this need. Many housing units are under <br />construction today —a key first step. Continued momentum will be essential. <br />• Bring philanthropy to the table to support entrepreneurship programming directed at <br />under -represented populations and those most in need of help to break out of <br />generational poverty. Existing programs such as Refoundry and Esty's Craft <br />[-;ratrepr n ursh program are great examples that reach these populations in ways <br />ME <br />