SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Second District Councilwoman Regina Williams-Preston held a rally Saturday to raise awareness on the importance to the community.
Preston is running for South Bend Mayor but Saturday she focused on the 54 percent that people don't mention.
“54 percent; over half of the people in South Bend are actually living paycheck to paycheck," Preston said.
Preston believes if the big organizations and companies from the community reach out to the small businesses it will make a difference.
“Those big institutions that we don’t have to encourage with tax abatements are already here, they’re going to be here for generations," Preston said.
Notre Dame, Memorial Hospital and Indiana University South Bend are the organizations and companies Preston talks about.
She says if they invest just a small percent in local businesses it can make a big difference.