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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br /> Regular Meeting—November 29, 2012 <br /> 6. NEW BUSINESS <br /> C. Airport Economic Development Area <br /> 1) State Certified Tech Park Recertification Application <br /> Mr. Inks noted that when the state designated Ignition Park and Innovation Park a Certified <br /> Technology Park on January 1, 2009, it was for a period of four years. Our certification will <br /> lapse the end of 2012 unless recertified by the state. We want to submit an application for <br /> recertification. <br /> Mr. Inks noted that the University of Notre Dame has been instrumental in assisting with the <br /> collection of information for this application, primarily because thus far so much of the tech <br /> park business activity has occurred at Innovation Park. However, Ignition Park did see the <br /> first phase of infrastructure development this year, along with its first business opening, Data <br /> Realty. <br /> Investment by the University and the city in the two tech park sites has been significant over <br /> the last four years. The University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend have <br /> invested $33.5 million, while South Bend has invested $22.5 million. Thirty-five small <br /> businesses are located at Innovation Park, employing 81 people with an annual payroll of <br /> $4.7 million. Two of the small businesses started at Innovation Park have graduated to the <br /> next stage of growth. Data Realty has relocated to its new facility within Ignition Park. F <br /> Cubed is making an interim move to the former St. Joseph High School and will ultimately <br /> locate at Ignition Park. Staff requests authorization to submit the Recertification Application <br /> to the State of Indiana. <br /> Mr. Varner noted that the city has spent significant funds purchasing and clearing the site at <br /> Ignition Park. He prefers the Data Realty model where ownership of the building is put in <br /> the hands of the business. He believes that makes good sense. He hopes that is the model we <br /> follow for the proposed multi-tenant, multi-use building. It doesn't increase the tax base for <br /> South Bend if the city builds and owns the buildings. He would like to see the multi-tenant <br /> building be built by a private developer or at least in partnership with a private developer. <br /> Mr. Davis agreed with Mr. Varner. He asked how helpful Senate Bill 443, approved here <br /> locally, has been as a selling point for tech companies to locate here. Mr. Inks responded that <br /> the information technology tax exemption has certainly been a helpful tool. It was used with <br /> Data Realty. He was not aware of any other conversations that staff had with those types of <br /> businesses, but other folks in the community have had conversations with companies in the <br /> information technology business and the abatement is a key part of those conversations. He <br /> expects that it will play a significant role in helping to attract those types of businesses to <br /> Ignition Park. <br /> Upon a motion by Mr. Downes, seconded by Mr. Varner and unanimously carried, the <br /> Commission approved the State Certified Technology Park Recertification Application. <br /> 5 <br />