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CITY OF SOUTHBEND <br />COMMUNITY INVESTMENT <br />JITIN KAIN, INTERIM DIRECTOR <br />TO: BPW <br />FROM: DCI - Dan Buckenmeyer, Director of Business Development <br />RE: Additional Detail on Recast City Boost Contract 12/19/29 <br />Per BPW request we are providing this additional detail to the "Recast Boost Contract" submitted for <br />approval on 12/19/19. <br />DCI is taking deliberate actions to better support small business creation and growth in South Bend in <br />2020. This contract and engagement is a key part of that burgeoning initiative. The focus of this <br />engagement and contract is to understand from nationally -recognized experts (Recast City) how South <br />Bend can create an ecosystem for small, local businesses and germinate focused locations for them to <br />thrive. In this process we will direct new and growing businesses to centralized locations where existing <br />infrastructure in legacy, vacant buildings and vacant retail locations can be re -activated. This initiative <br />dovetails with many other elements of small business support planned and underway. <br />In 2019 Recast City led the implementation of a Technical Services Grant awarded to the City of South <br />Bend. The Grant team included several individuals from the U.S. Economic Development Administration <br />including their Regional Director and additional experts from Smart Growth America, but Recast City was <br />the primary resource and expert. This engagement included 3-days of on -site evaluation involving many <br />stakeholders across the City. Our learnings were compiled into a final report outlining some of the <br />recognized needs and potential initiatives for South Bend to implement. (Attached for Reference.) In <br />2020 the DCI team, with the support of Recast City via this contact will transition into implementation. <br />Recast City's guidance is critical to the timely and effective implantation of best practices out of the <br />gate. <br />The scope and activities of the engagement are outlined in detail on the contract. <br />I am happy to answer any further questions about this contract and engagement, and welcome the <br />opportunity to share subsequent small business successes as we implement throughout the City of <br />South Bend. Thank you. <br />DANIEL J. BUCKENMEYER ALKEYNA ALDRIDGE .PAMELA MEYER 1 IM CORCORAN <br />BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ENGAGEMENT & ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLANNING & COMMUNITY RmouRcFs <br />i <br />