Steven Cuevas / KPCC

One of many vacant, distressed properties in downtown San Bernardino. This lot sits right next door to the Greater San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s slogan: “It’s Great Day in San Bernardino” defies the city’s hard times.

Six weeks ago, San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy being $50 million in the hole.

The city council cut jobs by the dozens, and, in fact, the woman who drew up the city's budget-cutting plan eliminated her own job.

The pain has spread beyond city hall, though. Companies that have contracts with the city are also taking hits.

Nevertheless, KPCCs Steven Cuevas reports there can be surprising rewards to doing business in one of the nation's poorest cities.