As the coronavirus pandemic made shopping in physical stores less safe, many shoppers moved online. Now, the City of South Bend is looking to help local businesses with their online presence.
The city is now accepting applications for the Digital Storefront program, which is designed to help small businesses build or improve their online capabilities.
“In the past, the first thing a customer saw of a business was its storefront. Now, a business’s website is the first thing a customer sees,” Brian Donoghue, the city's director of civic innovation, said in a release. “This pilot program will help small businesses here in South Bend enhance their digital storefront and ensure they’re making a great first impression on customers.”
The program is open to any South Bend-based business from any sector, whether they need help building a website, improving their online store or launching more advanced projects.
The city’s Department of Community Investment partnered with Code Works, a digital product studio, to launch the program. The city says Code Works will work with businesses to get their digital projects up and running.
“Digital tools are becoming essential for businesses to connect with customers," Santiago Garces, the city's executive director of community investment, said in a release. "During the past year we have seen how businesses that had invested in digital infrastructure were able to survive and thrive.”
Applications for the program are due Friday, April 2. The city says work is expected to begin after businesses have been chosen.
Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.
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