Laserfiche WebLink
7 <br />ANNUAL REPORT 2025GROWTH & OPPORTUNITY <br />INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT <br />South Bend’s small developer community is strong <br />and growing, and the City supports residents <br />and others commiƩ ed to the vibrancy of our <br />neighborhoods. Through the Build South Bend <br />iniƟ aƟ ve, local small developers and entrepreneurs <br />have access to technical assistance and resources <br />which provides the opportunity to gain a deep <br />understanding of the development process. Build <br />South Bend and City-supported programming <br />is focused on local control and development, <br />connecƟ on to resources, and helping advance a <br />resident-driven future for South Bend. <br />In 2025, the City hosted three mulƟ -day events <br />that featured networking sessions, workshops, <br />and one-on-one coaching. The workshops, which <br />featured an average of 30 aƩ endees, focused on <br />the fundamentals of incremental development: <br />Property Management: The Key to Long-Term <br />Success; Planning for Success: Mastering Pre- <br />Development Planning and BudgeƟ ng for Smooth <br />Project ExecuƟ on; and Smart Leasing Strategies: <br />Matching the Right Tenant to the Right Spaces. <br />City staff and coaching partners assisted small <br />developers directly by conducƟ ng 21 in-depth <br />one-on-one coaching sessions, with ten acƟ ve <br />development projects receiving support. Upon <br />compleƟ on, these projects will represent more <br />than $45 million in investment in South Bend. <br />Through tax abatements in 2025, the City of South <br />Bend is supporƟ ng exisƟ ng and pending projects <br />that will result in an esƟ mated $59.73 million in <br />new projects. In addiƟ on, new projects supported <br />through tax abatements will result in an esƟ mated <br />391 new and 132 retained jobs. <br />In 2025, acƟ ve tax abatement holders reported <br />2,624 created and retained jobs for real property <br />projects and 723 jobs for personal property <br />projects. Total private investment for these <br />City-supported projects were reported to be <br />$386.3 million. For real properƟ es with acƟ ve <br />tax abatements, the 2025 assessed value was <br />$258.0 million combined, up from $32.3 million <br />in combined assessed value before the projects <br />began. <br />The Grand Leader Building (formerly Center City Place). <br />Through a tax abatement approved by the Common Council, <br />support from the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, <br />and assistance from the Build South Bend ini Ɵ aƟ ve, the City <br />is assisƟ ng the transformaƟ on of this historic downtown <br />building that sat vacant and decaying for many years on S. <br />Michigan Street. <br />TAX ABATEMENTS <br />Coaching session through the City’s Build South Bend incre- <br />mental development iniƟ aƟ ve