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South Bend Redevelopment Commission Regular Meeting—August 14, 2014 6. NEW BUSINESS (CONT.) G. Other (1) Economic Development Update The program doesn't come without a cost, though. We solicited support from the business community and from local foundations and were able to put $900,000 together to form the local match. That is intended to give those schools the opportunity to implement the program. Mr. Rea noted that the schools have three years to decide whether to implement PLTW. Eighteen schools are doing an implementation this year. We anticipate many more implementing next school year. We've been working closely with Dr. Schmidt as we have with each of the school corporations, both public and private. South Bend really knocked this out of the park. They were very organized, very interested in the implementation of this. We've worked closely with a number of teachers in South Bend who have firsthand knowledge of the benefits of this program and the opportunities to move it beyond where it's at right now. Economic development in a community is a team effort, and when we identify what our number one target ought to be in terms of bringing new jobs to our area, talent is the top one. All companies ask about the talent pool. Mr. Shawn Peterson noted that PLTW is one of the top STEM organizations in the country. It's a different way of learning, and the types of jobs that are coming along that use those skills pay above the average wage. Those are in the STEM fields. PLTW chose Northern Indiana as a model region. Typically they partner with corporations such as Toyota or Intel that give them dollars to implement these sets of programs around their factories or facilities. They've seen the value, they've tested and proven it, and they validating the curriculum as the driver of the workforce of the future. PLTW changed the model for us. They selected our region to be a model region for partnering with a community. They brought matching resources to the table to do that demonstration model. So, the question became, "can our schools in South Bend participate in that?" That is what is before the Commission today—how do we allow our schools to participate? Are there resources to jump that financial hurdle so that our schools can participate. Not just Kennedy, LaSalle Academy and Riley High, but all the schools. The Commission has a chance to demonstrate that this is an important piece of our talent pipeline. Mr. Peterson also noted that other neighboring Redevelopment Commissions have committed similar amounts of resources to implement PLTW in their communities. What the partners are asking is not inconsistent with what other Redevelopment Commissions have done. Ms. Schey said she was very supportive of implementing the program in South Bend, but she'd like to keep TIF funds true to their infrastructure calling. She worries about establishing a precedent for paying for soft costs with TIF. She wondered if it wouldn't be more appropriate to use Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds for the city's 7 k