The city’s new Technology Resource Center is located inside the Catalyst Two building at Ignition Park. Staff photo by Robert Franklin People use a common workspace inside the city’s new Technology Resource Center at Ignition Park. About half of the new office is set aside for community use. Staff photo by Robert Franklin • •

It’s another cold, gray and snowy day in northern Indiana.



But the gloom of late winter is overcome by the polished concrete floors, modern furnishings and abundance of natural light streaming into the city’s new 12,500-square-foot South Bend Technology Resource Center.



There’s a subdued energy inside this new office.



In one area, small groups and individuals are taking advantage of the center’s new community space; they’re buried in their laptops or quietly chatting in deference to those around them. And in a nearby classroom, some city employees are going through some new software training.



“The community side is bookable for startups, nonprofits, schools and mission-driven efforts,” said Denise Linn Riedl, the city’s chief innovation officer who also oversees the new space. The other half of the new space will be used by the city and its partners.



“Organizations might want to use the space for off-site training, meetings or other purposes.”



Even private businesses could use the public space for outreach or mission-driven works, Riedl said, explaining that an internet provider might, for example, want to offer free classes on how to avoid phishing scams and other basic elements of cybersecurity.



“The vision for the TRC is to build an inclusive ecosystem where education, government and the private sector can come together to solve problems, develop ideas and grow tech skills in the community,” said Mayor James Mueller.