Feb. 16, 2021
The City of South Bend launched a new investment in locally owned businesses to help them grow, become more resilient, and bring more wealth building opportunities to more residents. The City has opened applications for Scaling Up! South Bend, a 3-month training program, paired with subsidized commercial space, designed to scale small, product based businesses to success.
“The City of South Bend today launches a program that will be the benchmark, the national standard for excellence, in growing locally owned businesses and building an inclusive economy from the ground up,” said Santiago Garces, Executive Director of the Department of Community Investment. “Our small product businesses are both our history and our future. It is time for us to invest in their growth and expand opportunities for more of South Bend.”
The Department of Community Investment is partnering with 37 Oaks University to administer this program, which will focus on recruiting business owners who currently sell a product part- or full-time and want to strengthen their business model and scale up.
Businesses that complete the 3-month entrepreneurship program will also become eligible for subsidized commercial space at Sibley Center, a multi-tenant business space, through the end of 2021.
Applications will be accepted until March 12, 2021.