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•CITY OF SOUTH BEND ! OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Mr. Buckenmeyer replied,That's a good question that we will look into and answer at the meeting <br /> later this evening. <br /> David Andre, 21601 Durham Way, Bristol, IN, stated, Pam started Grace Steel three(3) years ago <br /> as a steel brokerage operation and it has grown tremendously. That has created a need for <br /> additional space. We currently operate out of a 10,000 square foot facility in Mishawaka and we <br /> are looking for this additional space. That is our interest in this property. Grace Steel distributes <br /> steel sheets. Many of the sheets are supplied by Steel Warehouse which is conveniently located <br /> just across the railroad tracks. So that is a plus for this facility. There is a tremendous amount of <br /> work to be done. We have our hands full to do that, but we are also excited about the opportunity. <br /> We want to be a seed on Sample Street to hopefully spawn some additional growth.This particular <br /> property was built in 1955. It was a Sears Distribution Center. It then became a printing company <br /> and when they went out of business, it became a scrapyard. One(1) of the things we have to clean <br /> up is the remaining aluminum scrap in the eight and a half(8.5) acres of field. That is hard but <br /> nonetheless,we are excited to take on this project and really be a seed on Sample. <br /> Committee Chair Ferlic asked, Did you pursue any TIF money or is just a tax abatement? <br /> Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, Only a tax abatement. <br /> Councilmember Voorde asked, Who are some examples of your customers? <br /> Mr.Andre replied, We supply the RV industry and a lot of the trailer industry. We ship as far away <br /> as Alabama and Missouri. I would say the bulk of sales are in Northern Indiana and lower <br /> Michigan. <br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Two (2) questions. If you're increasing your capacity, what <br /> is the benefit to Steel Warehouse? Will they be able to move more product or bring more <br /> individuals online? Are there additional or secondary benefits? <br /> Mr. Andre replied, They currently scrap some of the secondary material we process. So that is a <br /> secondary benefit to them. To have us conveniently located, that is a benefit for them as well. <br /> Councilmember Broden followed up,And then what about workforce?With the individuals you're <br /> bringing on,what is the ramp up time for those individuals, skill wise and training wise? <br /> Mr. Andre replied, It is about a six (6) month process to bring them in and get them up to full <br /> speed. With some of the new equipment that's coming on, we will be sending them to an outside <br /> training once its operational. <br /> Committee Chair Ferlic then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor <br /> of or in opposition to the legislation. <br /> Jason Banicki, 3822 Ford Street,stated,Dan hit the nail on the head.That property has been vacant <br /> for many years. I've lived in that neighborhood pretty much my whole life. I'm excited for <br /> something like this because it's not a full ten(10)year abatement. I think that helps mitigate some <br /> of our risk. Also, we are talking about jobs that are averaging$39,000 or$40,000 a year and those <br /> are hard to come by. It is nice to see that come in that neighborhood. My other thing I would say <br /> is given that those railroad tracks aren't used very often, I wonder if there is a way we could build <br /> EXCELLENCE ; ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 3 <br />