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2 Filed in Clerk's Office <br /> Bianca Tirado <br /> City Clerk, South Bend, IN <br /> LETTER FROM THE <br /> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR <br /> Dear Neighbor, <br /> In 2024, the Community Investment team continued the important work to spur growth in South <br /> Bend that positively impacts all residents. <br /> Our team made major strides in resolving longstanding blighted properties, developed new <br /> programming to support small businesses, supported service providers who assist our most <br /> vulnerable residents, and led planning processes to envision the long-term future of our <br /> community. <br /> Our team also worked on a daily basis to ensure our neighborhoods are safe, clean, and <br /> prosperous. <br /> During 2024, our team: <br /> • Issued 13 low-interest loans totaling $2.5 million to support the growth of small businesses. <br /> Most of the loan recipients are minority-owned and more than a third are women-owned. <br /> • Unlocked $40 million in private investment through issuance of new tax phase-ins and created <br /> or retained nearly 3,000 jobs from businesses that received tax-phase ins previously. <br /> • Facilitated the adoption of 378 animals at the South Bend Animal Resource Center. <br /> • Provided funding to operate emergency overnight shelter for unhoused residents during the <br /> coldest months of the year through a partnership with the Center for the Homeless. <br /> • Leveraged 2 forgivable loans to fund the construction of more than 120 infill housing units in <br /> disinvested neighborhoods. <br /> • Conducted 774 inspections to ensure basic habitability standards for tenants as part of the <br /> Rental Safety Verification Program. <br /> • Provided more than $420,000 in matching grants to activate and beautify business exteriors, <br /> unlocking $967,000 in total project costs. <br /> • Removed nearly 1.5 million pounds of litter and debris and assisted with 23 neighborhood <br /> cleanups. <br /> • Continued neighborhood planning processes with LaSalle Park and River Park residents and <br /> held resident engagement sessions for planned redevelopment in the Portage Elwood area <br /> and along Western Avenue. <br /> • Facilitated more than $600,000 in public and private investment for energy efficiency and <br /> DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT <br />