2 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting—August 14, 2014 6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) G. Other (1) Economic Development Update Mr. Zeeb noted that the Commission is being asked to participate in Project Lead the Way (PLTW) with the Chamber of Commerce and South Bend School Corporation. Project Lead the Way is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math(STEM) focused curriculum and teacher professional development program designed to meet the needs of a global economy. In July 2013 PLTW reached out to CPEG to assess its initial interest in the regional implementation of the PLTW model in a five-county area. Those five counties were St. Joseph, Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, and Marshall. In October 2013 PLTW informed the counties of a potential matching grant opportunity. In December 2013 PLTW made a presentation to the South Bend School Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, and other community players. The Chamber agreed to lead the way in securing businesses to help fund the program in South Bend. In February 2014 the Chamber secured the matching funds from businesses and other foundations and individuals. Through discussions with the School Board the city realized additional technology infrastructure challenges hindered implementation of PLTW in the South Bend schools. This approved educational training program gives the TIF unique opportunity to leverage multiple funding sources against its contribution of$542,716 which will impact 23 of our city schools and launch a nationally recognized STEM program to support positive economic growth and development citywide. The commitment would be made over a three year period and matched by the school corporation. DCI requests Commission approval to move forward with preparation of a development agreement for those funds. Mr. Jeff Rea, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, explained PLTW. Mr. Rea noted that the Chamber has analyzed why our community occasionally loses economic opportunities. We recognized that we were losing those opportunities because of a deficiency in our talent pipeline. When we sat with our competitors in other cities and were able to see what they had in terms of the talent pipeline, specifically related to STEM, it was apparent that we weren't doing enough. The economic development partners from across the region felt like we needed to do some things locally to address those deficiencies. I As we look at the targeted industries that we have in our area, and as we look at the growth in STEM in other areas, and as we consider the number of new job opportunities that are available around the country, CPEG and local economic development partners from that five county area came together with interest in pulling together the resources to fund this PLTW initiative. We had some initial experience with PLTW in our community—Riley High t School, Kennedy Primary in South Bend was a national pilot site, Mishawaka High School and Penn High School. We thought if we could expand that opportunity to every student in St. Joseph County, public or private school, that that would give us a competitive advantage when we are competing for jobs. I i' k 6 1