BUTTIGIEG ESTABLISHES SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP WITH LATIN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Today Mayor Buttigieg announced a new partnership with the Latin American Chamber of Commerce to spur small local business growth especially for gender and ethnically underrepresented business owners and help them navigate how to do business with the City as a contractor.
“South Bend already offers a number of great resources for small business start-ups,” said Buttigieg. “This program brings those resources together and matches them with the entrepreneurial spirit of our neighbors right here in South Bend. And for those businesses that provide a service or a good that the City needs, we show them how they can become a City contractor and do business with the City. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”
Aspiring and existing small business owners will have an opportunity to join an eight week cohort seminar with local experts covering topics like starting your own small business, conducting a business feasibility study, preparing your business plan, small business policy, employment law, how to buy a franchise, securing finances as a small business, understanding small business and other certifications and why they matter, and doing business with the City. The first cohort will start next week on February 13.
Latin American Chamber of Commerce President Juan Hernandez shared his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We’re excited to bring a diverse group of experts and resources together to drive small local business development in South Bend. This is something we’ve envisioned for a long time, and it’s finally happening.”
As part of the Executive Order Buttigieg issued January 15, 2016 and the City of South Bend Diversity and Inclusion Plan submitted in July 2016, the new partnership with the Latin American Chamber of Commerce seeks to diversify the ranks of small local business owners, position them for growth, sustainability, fiscal soundness and make the process of doing business with the City as a contractor more equitable and transparent.
For more information about becoming a participant, please contact Juan Hernandez at (574) 217-7397 or jmherdez23@gmail.com.