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CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – January 22, 2026 <br /> <br />Page | 6 <br /> <br />to identify an alternative funding source to cover the cost. The change <br />order will follow our standard project procedure and be approved <br />through the Board of Public Works. Commissioner Wax also spoke in <br />favor of policy for appropriations. <br /> <br />Upon a motion by David Relos for approval, seconded by Gillian Shaw, <br />the motion carried unanimously; the Commission approved the Budget <br />Request as presented on January 22, 2026. <br /> <br />C. Redevelopment General Fund (a.k.a Pokagon-South Bend Fund) <br />1. Budget Request (2026 Business Assistance Suite) <br />Bianca Jones, Interim Officer of Diversity, Compliance & Inclusion, <br />presented an overview of the Small Business Assistance Suite. This <br />program has been operating for about four and a half years and is <br />structured as a cohort-based business readiness program designed to <br />build capacity for local businesses. We don’t provide grants; instead, we <br />focus on business readiness and improving access to capital. Our <br />program includes workshops on legal compliance, business operations, <br />financial management, marketing, and more. Each participant is paired <br />with a business coach who helps with goal-setting, progress tracking, <br />and coordinating support services such as legal and accounting <br />assistance from licensed professionals. <br /> <br />So far in 2025, we’ve supported 77 businesses through coaching and <br />professional services. Three businesses accessed the City’s revolving <br />loan fund, and six were connected to resources for MBE/WBE <br />certification. Overall, we help businesses strengthen their financial and <br />operational systems, increase their use of professional service providers, <br />and prepare for funding, contracting, and staffing opportunities. <br /> <br />Key outcomes are that we track the number of businesses completing <br />the cohort, readiness milestones like financial systems and legal <br />documentation, and businesses pursuing contract or funding <br />opportunities. We also measure growth in hiring and engagement with <br />professional service providers. <br /> <br />Ms. Jones is requesting a $100,000 allocation from the Pokagon South <br />Bend Fund to sustain and scale the program. This funding will support <br />cohort-based training, program oversight, and reporting. We plan to <br />serve at least 40 businesses, with approximately $2,000 invested per <br />business, and continue strengthening the local pipeline of <br />contract-ready and capital-ready businesses. <br /> <br />Secretary Wax asked, do you recall last year’s allocation? Ms. Jones <br />responded that the Small Business Assistance Suite received $85,000 in