Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING – January 22, 2026 <br /> <br />Page | 7 <br /> <br />2025. Regarding the $2,000 per business for direct readiness support: <br />each participant typically receives about ten hours of coaching, at <br />roughly $75 per hour. We also cover professional service costs, for <br />example, setting up financial systems like QuickBooks or Wave, which <br />we provide at no cost for several months. Participants may also work <br />with attorneys for contracts, partnership agreements, and similar needs. <br />The $2,000 reflects the value of these services, not direct cash <br />assistance. <br /> <br />These services are not provided by City staff. We contract with outside <br />providers. For the past several years, the program has been <br />administered by the IMPower Center, which recruits coaches and <br />professional service providers. We vetted them to ensure they meet <br />program requirements, and then they are brought on accordingly. <br /> <br />Commissioner Shaw asked for more details on why the program plans to <br />increase support per business while serving fewer businesses overall. <br />Ms. Jones replied that, previously, the program worked more like an <br />à-la-carte model—businesses received one-off services, such as legal <br />help, but we had limited follow-up and mixed long-term results. By <br />reducing the number of participants, we can provide deeper, more <br />consistent support and track outcomes throughout the year. <br />We also found that many businesses reapplied because the initial <br />assistance wasn’t enough. Although we’ve had about 800 applications, <br />the actual number of unique businesses is closer to 500–600, since many <br />returned seeking additional help. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gooden-Rodgers asked, of the 77 businesses you <br />mentioned, how are you measuring success? Are these businesses still <br />operating, and where is this program advertised? If someone wants to <br />start a small business, how would they know how to get involved? <br />Ms. Jones explained that our follow-up shows that most of the <br />businesses we supported last year are still operating. At the end of each <br />year, we send a questionnaire to check on their progress. Many have <br />secured new contracts—both private and City-related—and six have <br />completed MBE/WBE certification. Several have also accessed the <br />Revolving Loan Fund or expanded their business activity. <br /> <br />Currently, we advertise mainly through Facebook and word of mouth, <br />and we’re working to strengthen our marketing strategy. Because many <br />participants are newer businesses, we also coordinate with ecosystem <br />partners who focus on early-stage startups. For example, programs like <br />the South Bend Entrepreneurship Adversity Program help <br />entrepreneurs get registered with the Secretary of State, and once they <br />complete that program, they qualify for ours.