South Bend: Big MWBE Contracting Opportunities Beyond City Hall
The city of South Bend is a finalist for this year’s City Accelerator project, which is focused on helping cities promote economic equity.
The city of South Bend is a finalist for this year's City Accelerator project, which is focused on helping cities promote economic equity.
You can help select this year's City Accelerator participants! Check out the cities' pitches, and then let us know which ones you think should be a part of this important program by giving them a star rating and leaving your comments below!
What is the city proposing?
With the recommendations from the first City of South Bend MWBE Disparity Study for Purchasing and Contracting, South Bend’s project will focus on leveraging over $1.8 billion combined contracting and procurement spending of the top 10 employers in South Bend. This will help to create, stabilize, and scale up MBE/MWBE's that offer the goods, services, professional services and contracting used locally every day to address the longstanding racial wealth divide through entrepreneurship.
VIEW OTHER CITY PITCHES
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Cleveland
- El Paso
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- Newark
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
For a detailed description of the mission and purpose of the City Accelerator’s cohort on promoting economic equity, click here.
Public response is one of several criteria being used by the City Accelerator to select cohort cities. The number of ratings or comments by themselves do not determine final status or selection.
Leroy Casterline
On: 11-23-2019If Buttigieg isn't our next president, we've missed a once-in-a-generation opportunity for leadership fit to match our times.
Bridget Pigee
On: 11-01-2019Very proud of my city and It’s ability to recognize issues and creat a change!
Jeanne Acutanza
On: 06-18-2019I hope this is an example for many cities. This mayor is so brave to fearlessly tackle issues of racial divisions.
John DeAngelico
On: 05-23-2019How has a city with liberal leadership for the last 40+ years failed the African American community so that now it has to be pandered to?
Shaban Varajab
On: 05-17-2019With the current global economy, people look for a city that is welcoming and ready to connect with immigrant community. Coming from Kenya, I testify that South Bend is one of those special welcoming cities in this dream land. It is amazing how the city leadership weaves together every part of the community to ensure that residents (irrespective of their nationality, race or religion) have a fair shot at opportunities and prosperity.
Beth North
On: 05-16-2019I LOVE this video and this team and this vision - IU South Bend and the University of Notre Dame are backing this as well - and both higher education institutions have diversity initiatives, community engagement initiatives, and a physical presence across the street from one another on the near west side of South Bend - The Civil Rights Heritage Center and Notre Dame's Center for Arts & Culture, at 1045 W. Washington St - James Summers, Mayor Pete, Cherie Peate, Christina Brooks, and so many other great people are collaborating across and focusing efforts to address the great divide in prosperity comparing white and black/brown heads of houshold/household income disparity. Among those working with them is a team from the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership. We must take bold action to make measurable progress.
Anonymous
On: 05-14-2019Awesome idea!
Bethany Hartley
On: 05-13-2019What a great opportunity for a City on the rise!
Stanley Johnson
On: 05-11-2019Sensitive development - just excellent - outstanding model
Dawn Burns
On: 05-10-2019What a wonderful opportunity for South Bend.
Maureen
On: 05-10-2019Correcting the past through recognition and planning for the future!
Tim KNEZEVICH
On: 05-10-2019Unbelievable city.
Leslie L.
On: 05-08-2019Excellence in Action. South Bend, IN deserves this TREMENDOUS opportunity.
Rosalind Alexander
On: 05-08-2019This sounds absolutely wonderful and it is long overdue. Thank you!
Mike Doyen
On: 05-08-2019Amazing to see the transformation of South Bend the past 7 years.
Mary Schroeder
On: 05-08-2019South Bend is an excellent candidate for this grant. It is on the right path to growth.
Claudia Webster
On: 05-08-2019South Bend is addressing the diversity problem with specific goals and policy proposals to address the realities of racial inequities such as assistance with small business loans and legal assistance for civil challenges such as home foreclosures. This specificity will be even more effective with the Accelerator grant. South Bend deserves this grant.
Bob Canter
On: 05-08-2019This city needs all the help it can get. The problem is the people who will be spending the money aren’t qualified to do so.
Meika A. Mustrangi
On: 05-08-2019South Bend is growing again! And is focusing its efforts into making sure that everyone benefits from this positive trend. Show the way, South Bend!
Diane Buff
On: 05-08-2019Very well thought out plan
Rivka
On: 05-07-2019I love this
Bonny Rios
On: 05-07-2019I think this is a wonderful opportunity for South Bend!
Louise O'Sullivan Oslin
On: 05-07-2019South Bend is an amazing City! Yay Mayor Pete
Martin M.
On: 05-07-2019Great initiative! I would love to learn more.
Jessica Dennis
On: 05-07-2019Glad to see South Bend is committed to promoting economic equity for all of its community members!
Julie O
On: 05-07-2019I've lived most of my life in large, metro areas. South Bend is a small city with big city problems without the benefit of big city resources. I would love to see South Bend receive this award because the relative positive impact would be larger for a city of this size, which isn't usually the frontrunner to win awards of this nature. South Bend has made so many improvements with available resources but we still have a noticeable disparity in wealth that translates to fewer opportunities and fewer resources for individuals with lower incomes.
Mike Hebbeler
On: 05-07-2019Good to see the collaborative spirit animating this initiative, which brings out the best in our town.
Derek A Arnold Sr
On: 05-07-20195 star rating.
Derek A Arnold. Sr
On: 05-07-2019Excellent purposal and readable.
Anonymous
On: 05-07-2019Excellent!
Marie Mendoza
On: 05-07-2019Excellent Plan! Can’t wait to see it in action!
Marie Mendoza
On: 05-07-2019Excellent example of what can and should be for a city with a diverse population. The plan contains the elements needed to meet the needs of the community while purposefully inviting diversity. I look forward to seeing this executed once awarded to South Bend!
L Montes
On: 05-07-2019Amazing I hope South Bend wins it! It’s already on its way just needs to be accelerated!
Laura Gleichenhaus
On: 05-07-2019This sounds like a great plan. Creating lists is great, planning to put them to use is even better.
Elizabethsu
On: 05-07-2019This project would make a big difference in closing the racial income and wealth gaps in South Bend. Leveraging the top 10 employers in the area will fuel its success. True leadership from Mayor Pete - from first creating a team to investing in critical research and putting forth a cohesive plan.
Joe Crimmins
On: 05-06-2019(failed to provide my 5 star rating in prior post). Great idea and James Summers is a great person to be involved in this effort to leverage the top 10 employers in the area to improve our South Bend citizen's fortunes.
Joe Crimmins
On: 05-06-2019Seems like a great idea to leverage our buying power to improve the lives of our citizens. James Summers is a great asset to South Bend
LAC
On: 05-06-2019This would be a great help in equalizing SB.
Katie Balog
On: 05-06-2019I am excited to see continued improvements to South Bend!
Sue Jacob
On: 05-06-2019I was born and raised in South Bend.
Melissa
On: 05-06-2019Sounds like a fantastic vision Good Luck South Bend!!
Mary Weaver
On: 05-06-2019Pleased to see a strong focus on education about how to access capital and the close monitoring of the fairness and progress of South Bend's own city practices toward meeting these goals which will also serve as an example to other cities. I believe they are definitely prepared to benefit from this boost.
Margaret Meserve
On: 05-06-2019Great idea -- would love to see this happen for South Bend!
Jo M. Broden
On: 05-06-2019I love how intentional and strategic this is! The City is leading the conversation and the implementation, but is reliant on partners to help realize it in a broad-comprehensive, inclusive way.
Linda
On: 05-06-2019Great initiative!
Richard Gaspa
On: 05-06-2019If any city deserves a second chance this city does. Good luck South bend Indiana.
Jess Galicia
On: 05-06-2019Excellent idea for South Bend!
Linda Chism
On: 05-06-2019This can only help South Bend be a better city for all of us to live in.
Yvonne Desrosiers
On: 05-06-2019Looks to be an excellent plan. We need this in South Bend so that all stake holders can benefit from our increasing prosperity.
Mary Malone
On: 05-06-2019I think the idea of helping businesses "shop local" is genius! Never thought of our business purchases that way.
Susan
On: 05-06-2019Forgot to rate a give!
Susan
On: 05-06-2019South Bend will take this project and exceed expectations. Great idea!
Minority Business Owner
On: 05-06-2019As a minority business owner and a female I’m proud to see my city taking an initiative in the things that will allow my business to flourish
Meg Morgan
On: 05-06-2019Excellent proposal and, as has been mentioned, kudos to Mayor Pete for acknowledging and proactively addressing this issue!
Anonymous
On: 05-06-2019Excellent proposal!
Claire Kucela
On: 05-06-2019Closing the wealth and income gap in South Bend is so very important. It will have far reaching effects on community, education, and quality of life.
Nicholas Heise
On: 05-06-2019Amazing proposal!
Anonymous
On: 05-06-2019impressive!
Melody
On: 05-06-2019Keep up the fabulous work. South Bend is on the way back!
Cheryll D.
On: 05-06-2019Bravo to Mayor Pete for acknowledging and proactively addressing this issue in South Bend.
Joe Haase
On: 05-06-2019Vote for South Bend, IN!!
Karen Nemes
On: 05-06-2019South Bend residents will benefit from these initiatives!
Marcy
On: 05-06-2019I'm so happy that South Bend is taking an active part in addressing these issues.