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output for the company. At the same time, by moving to the new location and maintaining our <br />existing location we will be able to start looking at some other growth applications for future <br />customer care support. <br />Paul Tipps asked what the time frame was for the one - hundred (100) jobs being created. <br />Mr. Johnson responded over the next five (5) years. During the first year of the project there will <br />probably be an increase of twenty (20) to thirty (3 0) jobs. <br />Will Smith stated he loves 3B Tech and stated he also had a concern about the number of <br />employees the abatement states it will generate. He asked Mr. Johnson how many employees <br />they currently have. <br />Mr. Johnson responded they have just over forty (40) employees right now on their payroll. They <br />are moving to a warehouse with just 30,000 square feet to the new location that has 80,000 <br />square feet. Since we will continue occupying the old warehouse as well that gives us a total of <br />110,000 square feet. That gives us the opportunity to grow as our presence increases. We will <br />need more employees from customer service representatives to answer questions from customers <br />as well as more technicians for our repair services. We have already expanded our accounting <br />support as well. <br />Mr. Smith stated he appreciates Mr. Johnson's passion and commitment to South Bend. <br />Councilmember Dr. David Varner stated over the years similar questions have been raised about <br />the amount of jobs the abatements will generate and does it meet the number given by <br />Community Investment. He stated he has always believed that when a company is willing to <br />invest so much money, like the $3 million 3B Tech has committed to investing, he is much more <br />comfortable giving the City's support. There was one (1) incident about ten (10) years ago where <br />a company bought a million dollars' worth of machinery in anticipation of a product they <br />eventually didn't get and that happens occasionally where even the best plans don't work out. <br />Typically though a company's financial commitment is evident of their belief in their product. <br />Committeemember Regina Williams- Preston stated South Bend has committed itself to this new <br />diversity and inclusion plan, she asked Mr. Johnson how they look at match where we are going <br />as a community and developing an inclusive workforce. <br />Mr. Johnson responded they definitely value diversity in the workplace and aim to support a <br />diverse workplace inside 3B Tech. They look for candidates from many different backgrounds <br />and continue to strive for ways to match the City's effort to increase inclusion. People from <br />different backgrounds bring new perspectives and ideas to the company. <br />Committeemember Williams- Preston asked if he had any numbers currently about the diversity <br />of their staff or could he get some for tonight. <br />Ms. Heintzelman stated the numbers should be in the abatement on the third page. <br />N <br />