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100,060, however it opened many new doors to potential customers. Currently the company has <br /> only one limitation, lack of production areas. The proposed addition would address that <br /> concern. Mr. Jordan noted that the addition will increase space by 68%. He then showed a <br /> proposed site plan to the Committee. His company currently employs 79 individuals of which <br /> 44 are minorities and 11 are zone residents. He noted that he is happy to be in business in South <br /> Bend and requested approval of his tax abatement request. <br /> Following discussion,Dr. Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits,that Bill <br /> No. 00-51 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. <br /> The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 00-52 which is a ten(10)year tax abatement request for <br /> REW LLC(Corporate Services,Inc.)for the property located at 5681 West Cleveland Road. <br /> Cassandra Moran reviewed her report dated May 17, 2000 (copy attached)which noted that the <br /> petitioner intends to build a 71,500 square foot building for its marketing services which include <br /> printing,packaging, assembly, warehousing and distribution. The project cost is estimated to be <br /> $2.2 million. The report concluded that the petitioner meets the qualifications for a ten(10) <br /> year real property tax abatement under section 2-82 of the South Bend Municipal Code <br /> addressing industrial development city-wide. <br /> Mr. Robert Wozny,CEO of REW LLC made the presentation. He noted that his company is a <br /> good case study of how effective tax abatement can be for the city. In August of 1993 he had <br /> seven(7)employees and today he has 152. <br /> In response to a question from Council Member Coleman,Mr. Wozny noted that with this <br /> project he would have approximately a quarter of a million square feet in business usage. He <br /> also introduced his daughter to the Committee who is a recent Indiana University graduate. <br /> Mr. Wozny noted that he does experience problems of transportation for his employees since <br /> TRANSPO does not service this area. He noted that he provides taxi transportation for several <br /> of his employees who reside at the Center for the Homeless. <br /> Council Member Kelly stated that conversations with TRANSPO on this topic would be in order. <br /> Council Member Varner inquired as to the number of individuals currently using taxi service. <br /> Mr. Wozny stated that two(2)taxis per day with four(4)to five(5)employees in each is the <br /> average. Dr. Varner noted that lack of TRANSPO service was raised by representatives from <br /> Goodwill when the Council took a tour of the area a year or two earlier. <br /> Mr. Wozny noted that his company provides flex hours to help assist his employees with their <br /> transportation problems. <br /> Council Member Aranowski suggested that the Council contact their TRANSPO representative <br /> on the Board so that service to this area in general can be addressed. <br /> Bob Hunt suggested that the Redevelopment staff conduct a survey of the employers in this area <br /> of the city and their needs for transportation. <br /> -Community&Ecnomic Development Committee Meeting Minutes of May 22,2000 <br />