The Center in the media
To watch the programs and learn what we are doing now
​click the image below

​Click here to see what activities are coming up at the Center.  If you know of an event others should attend let us know so we can add it.

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The Center is open from 10 am - 5pm Monday - Thursday
and Friday by appointment.  ​

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​​​​​When the city of South Bend learned that over 40% African Americans in the city fall below the poverty line, which is twice the national poverty rate for AA households, making South Bend one of the worst cities to live in if you’re Black they asked SCORE to help.  The Congressional Budget Office has said that disparities in business income accounts for most of the rise in income inequality. So, it makes sense that one way to help close the gap is to increase business income in that segment. To help address the problem, SCORE sought the help of Project impact.

Business Center Ribbon Cutting Event

​The solution?  Open a Business Development Center in the heart of the community. Bring the resources directly to the people in the community and provide specifically what they need.  Bring services to entrepreneurs in that space instead of asking them to find them.  Create a professional space they will be excited and proud to come to and laid out to provide the environment conducive to business development.  Align the business development resources with Project Impact’s family foundational services to optimize impact.  Focus directly on neighborhood entities, provide the resources they need to develop strong, healthy businesses.  

Come join us. 
Support the growth of
the Business Development Center

     The first Business Development Center launched along the Lincoln Way West corridor.  Located in the South Bend Heritage Building, it is an easily accessible place where people of the community are accustomed to and comfortable frequenting.  Professionally furnished and appointed to express the image of quality, sophistication and expertise, it is a comfortable, professional space available for business meetings and workshops. 
     In the first year more than 300 businesses have joined as members of the center.  We hosted over 50 workshops and educational sessions and had over 2,000 participants.  We've focused on delivering precisely what the busiiness owners say they want and need, improved access to resources, information, capital and opportunity.  And we are completely transparent in how we perform with quarterly update reports and open communication seeking ways to improve our services.  Click here to see our regular reports. 
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​Need more information?