Mayor Pete Buttigieg cut a ribbon in virtual reality Wednesday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Mayor Pete Buttigieg attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning for a new Technology and Resource Center in downtown South Bend.

The Technology and Resource Center was built in order to teach members of the community technological skills and give them access to technology they do not have at home.

Mayor Pete, who attended the event, said, “The important thing about the Technology and Resource Center is it’s not just a hub for work that’s going on in city administration. It’s for the community; it’s allowing us to help close the digital divide and provide more opportunities for people to get the skills that they need and the access that they need to thrive in the digital age.”

Around 25% of South Bend homes do not have internet access, and some homes do not have computers. The center will allow these community members to utilize this technology and will teach them how to use it effectively.

Some of the skills that will be taught there include data analysis and coding.

The Chief Innovative Officer for the City of South Bend also commented on the project, saying, “I want everyone to think about the Technology and Resource Center here in South Bend as a place where technology is for everyone, so whether you are a worker in South Bend that wants to upscale and learn more data skills, there’s something here for you…Really this is all about bringing people together to solve common problems, to work together and to skill up as a city.”

The project was approved in 2017 by the Redevelopment Commission and cost about $2.7 million.

The ceremony concluded with Mayor Pete cutting the ribbon in virtual reality.