2004 Performance Based Budget - Laserfiche WebLink

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haul, and we will continue to phase the work and find outside resources to meet expenses so that we do not add to the property tax burden as we move forward. We have acquired the former South Bend Stamping Plant and will begin demolition of that structure this yeaz. We aze working with Transpo to relocate their maintenance operations to a new facility to be constructed in the corridor and we have had inquiries from otf~er companies that aze interested in locating here when land is cleazed. We will put these 140 acres of land, which once held 4.7 million sq. ft. of buildings and 25,000 jobs, back to productive use brnnging new investment, new jobs and new spirit to a proud azea If Studebaker and Oliver Plow aze part of a proud past, and A.J. Wright and Blackthorn represent the present, our future will depenthat is driven by technology. Two initiatives aze positioning us to be the regional leader. Through the Chamber's Technology Task Force, we aze exploring ways to ensure that South Bend has the appropriate infi~astructure to support technology driven and technology dependent companies. The planning for MetroNet is advancing. Aquasi-governmental i boazd would oversee a fiber network that will support access, availability and affordability for high speed data transmission. This system can mine untapped potential for economic development. The City of South Bend is also expecting to apply to the State seeking designation for a Certified Technology Pazk. With the University of Notre Dame and the Medical Education Foundation, we aze actively studying the feasibility of such a pazk for the; community. Notre Dame has been successful joining its reseazchers with private industry through. the State's 21~ Century Fund. This experience can help pave the way for expanded technology transfer from campus to business. The feasibility study for a Technology Pazk shows promise, but we don't want to assume that if we build it they will come. However, if done properly, creation of a Technology Pazk would help new innovators and foster the development of local technology-based. companies in our city. As we move towazd a decision on the Tech Pazk, we aze working 1:o bring interested parties together to network on these issues. The City is helping to present a Busimess ]miovation Symposium which will introduce targeted local companies to emerging technologies and encourage them to be among the first to commercialize revolutionary new processes. The goal of this effort is to help existing local companies flourish and expand, attract and <;reate new companies, boost the tax base and 'increase A-23