Michiana SCORE, Project Impact South Bend, South Bend Heritage Foundation, and the City of South Bend are partnering to open the West Side Small Business Resource Center at 809 Lincoln Way West. There will be a ribbon cutting event on Wednesday, September 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the site.
Operating from a South Bend Heritage Foundation-owned building with the help of a $30,000 contribution from the City of South Bend, the center will open to stimulate small business development along Lincoln Way and throughout the entire community. It is the first of the neighborhood-based business development centers Michiana SCORE plans to help launch to foster small business growth throughout the city.
“This initiative is a truly grassroots and community-focused approach to generating new wealth through small business,” said James Summers, Chairman of Michiana SCORE. “The center provides unprecedented access to resources and networking, and as local businesses grow and employ neighbors, the entire community is strengthened.”
“The success of small business raises the quality of life for all community members and is essential for the flourishing of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Pete Buttigieg. “The West Side Small Business Resource Center will help ensure that all residents have access to support and services that reward innovation and encourage entrepreneurship.”
“This business development partnership initiative is unique in its composition and its focus on directly serving an emerging group of entrepreneurs in accessing resources. South Bend Heritage is eager to help grow the relationships needed to expand opportunities for everyone trying to commercialize their ideas,” stated Marco Mariani, Executive Director of the South Bend Heritage Foundation.
Available services will include basic SCORE mentoring, access to Small Business Development Center services, Small Business Administration, Small Business Innovation Research, and Small Business Technology Transfer program training and support. The center will provide professional services and encourage local business networking to identify opportunities to connect, collaborate, and create exponential growth. The center will also offer functional space for business meetings and workshops.
Who: City of South Bend, Project Impact South Bend, South Bend Heritage Foundation, Michiana SCORE
What: Opening of West Side Small Business Resource Center
Where: 809 Lincoln Way West, South Bend, IN 46616
When: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
###