HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-10 New Director of Downtown Business Recruitment Announced
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
July 22, 2010
10:30 A.M.
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
or Jeff Gibney, Director of Community and Economic Development, 235-9371
New Director of Downtown Business Recruitment Announced
South Bend: Tamara Nicholl-Smith has recently joined the City of South Bend’s Department of
Community and Economic Development as director of downtown business recruitment. In this
newly created position, Nicholl-Smith will be developing and implementing long and short term
business recruitment programs that fit into the overall downtown development plan. Nicholl-
Smith’s immediate focus is the adaptive reuse of the College Football Hall of Fame, reaching out
to and meeting with key community stake holders, as well as analyzing current and future
downtown development opportunities.
“This new position was created out of the need for the downtown to have a representative whose
full time effort is retail recruitment. It clearly shows the City of South Bend’s commitment to
attracting new businesses to downtown and the desire to build upon the efforts and work of the
Department of Community and Economic Development,” said Jeff Gibney, Executive Director
of South Bend’s Department of Community and Economic Development. “Tamara will continue
to expand upon our efforts at the Department as well as other programs developed by Downtown
South Bend, Inc.”
"It's energizing to have Tamara focused on recruiting new retail businesses to downtown," said
Marco Mariani, executive director Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB). "She's highly
motivated and will work collaboratively with our real estate partners and others to make our
retail vision for downtown a reality."
While an employee of the Department of Community and Economic Development, Nicholl-
Smith will be working out the DTSB office, fully integrating this new position within the larger
plans for downtown. “My position is truly an addition to the business retention efforts of
DTSB,” said Nicholl-Smith, “I hope to build off of their extensive efforts to create, promote, and
market a vibrant downtown. Because of the programs and incentives that are already in place, I
will be able to analyze the effectiveness of each current program and research new possibilities
for downtown businesses.”
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Created as part of a focused retail business recruitment strategy for downtown South Bend,
Nicholl-Smith will: actively recruit new retail business; serve as a resource for businesses
relocating or interested in relocating to downtown; develop a comprehensive and cohesive retail
plan; and expand the current incentives and resources available to downtown retailers. As a part
of the targeted downtown retail plan, Nicholl-Smith will also compile and maintain a
comprehensive inventory of retail space in the central business district and East Bank Village.
This position will specifically focus on the adaptive reuse of the College Football Hall of Fame
building. When the College Football Hall of Fame announced plans to relocate to Atlanta,
downtown business and community leaders recognized the pressing need to determine its next
use. By engaging with key stake holders in the community and analyzing feasible options for the
Hall of Fame structure, Nicholl-Smith aims to identity and recruit a business that will benefit
residents of South Bend and align with the goals for downtown.
Nicholl-Smith brings a background in management consulting and business development to this
position, as well as experience with the arts and non-profit organizations. “As a business
consultant, I often advised corporations on how to manage change,” said Nicholl-Smith. “We
have a great opportunity to bring in some fabulous retailers. The businesses located on Michigan
Street are so vibrant, diverse, and interesting. To maintain the enthusiasm of our current
downtown retailers while growing the possibilities is absolutely great and I’m looking forward to
this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Nicholl-Smith’s office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 – 5:00. She can be reached by phone or
email at: (574) 631-1451, tamara@downtownsouthbend.com. Her office is located in the
Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB) offices at 217 S. Michigan Street. “I encourage anyone to
call or stop by who has a business interest in downtown or would like be part of downtown
expansion efforts. My door is always open.”
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