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1 <br /> 1 <br /> 1 <br /> South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br /> Regular Meeting—September 25, 2014 <br /> 3 <br /> 4. COMMUNICATIONS <br /> i <br /> 1 There were no Communications. <br /> 3 <br /> 5. OLD BUSINESS <br /> 3 Item 6G(4) on the Agenda, the Contract for Project Lead the Way, should have been listed as Old <br /> l' Business and Ms. Jones noted it should be moved up in the interest of the number of people in <br /> attendance regarding the item. <br /> j <br /> Mr. Zeeb stated that on August 14, 2014, Community Investment and the South Bend Community <br /> 1 <br /> School Corporation brought the Project Lead the Way program to the Commission and was <br /> instructed to move forward on developing an agreement for TIF funding. Project Lead the Way is a <br /> STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) focused curriculum and teacher professional <br />, development program designed to prepare students for the global economy. This educational <br /> program gives the TIF a unique opportunity to leverage multiple funding sources and will impact <br /> over 23 schools City-wide to help develop a trained workforce which will ultimately support <br /> 1 economic development in our community. The City has agreed to a 3 year commitment totaling <br /> 1 $542,716. The School Corporation has agreed to invest at least$589, 197 over a 5 year period in the <br /> program. The Corporation has also secured a 3 year commitment from the Chamber and Project <br /> Lead the Way of$211,120 for City schools. In the audience today are a number of administrators <br /> and teachers in support of the funding. Staff is seeking approval of the development agreement <br /> 1 which will go to the South Bend Community School Corporation board for approval in late October. <br />, <br /> Ms. Schey indicated we all support public education, this funding is part of a$2.5M regional grant <br />, covering 5 counties (Kosciusko, Marshall, Elkhart, Starke, and St. Joseph). The proceeds of the <br /> grant will be distributed based on the population of the various schools. The Chamber and School <br /> Corporation worked with over 70 local businesses to raise the matching funds necessary for South <br /> A Bend. Ms. Schey asked if any other local counties or municipalities contributed to the program. Mr. <br />, Zeeb answered that he does not know about our other local counties or municipalities, but does <br /> know that there are other local governments throughout the State of Indiana which have contributed <br /> l <br /> TIF funding to Project Lead the Way. <br /> Dr. Varner commented that when situations involving a matching grant are presented it is generally a <br /> 1 good thing for the City to participate, but also points out that the School Corporation has its own <br /> 1 funding sources and is facing some of the same decisions the City faces on how much is available to <br /> spend and how to spend. He noted that his support today is intended to be a one-time approval to get <br /> the project going. He hopes it is as successful as everyone hopes, but does not believe the City <br /> i should be making a continuous expenditure like this. We all have to live within our budgets and <br /> 1 make our budgets work. <br /> Mr. Zeeb responded he and the School Corporation have received that message and worked hard to <br /> ensure the proposal clearly outlined 3 years of funding and there is nothing envisioned past that time. <br /> i <br /> 3 <br /> i <br /> 3 <br /> 1 <br /> t <br />