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A Message from Mayor James Mueller <br />South Bend has turned the corner over the last decade, <br />transforming from a “dying city” into a rising world-class city. <br />Investment into the ingenuity and hard work of our people <br />has raised incomes, property values, and resident wealth <br />holdings, making our city a growing powerhouse and a <br />model for other Rust Belt cities that have suffered industrial <br />decline. <br />The persistent wealth divide in our community has kept <br />some neighborhoods and their residents from realizing <br />the full benefits of South Bend’s growth. Building wealth, <br />increasing access to resources, reducing financial harm, and <br />ensuring the development of generational wealth are critical <br />goals toward financial empowerment for our neighbors in <br />need. <br />This Financial Empowerment Blueprint reflects the hard <br />work of our Department of Community Investment, its Engagement and Economic Empowerment <br />team, and countless other community partners and collaborators. Their success in pulling together <br />partnerships with financial organizations, local nonprofits, and area leaders demonstrates South <br />Bend’s community strength and brings us closer to delivering on our commitment to bringing <br />economic and racial justice to all in South Bend. <br />With further funding, the proposed actions in this document will be carried out beginning in 2023 <br />and paired with evaluative procedures and further research into ongoing and future initiatives. <br />I am proud to support these efforts, and I look forward to our administration continuing to work <br />toward wealth equity and uplifting our Black community. <br />Sincerely, <br />James Mueller <br />Mayor <br />City of South Bend