Fiscal Plan for Youngs Annexation Area in Portage Township

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Annexation Area SECTION I. INTRODUCTION A. General This Fiscal Plan represents the City of South Bend's (hereinafter, "City ") policy for the annexation of property in Portage Township, St. Joseph County (hereinafter, "Annexation Area "), and was developed through the cooperative efforts of the Area Plan Commission and the following City Departments: Legal Department Department of Public Works South Bend Fire Department South Bend Police Department Department of Code Enforcement Department of Community and Economic Development Department of Administration and Finance B. Need For Annexation of New Area In 1981, the City of South Bend established the Rum Village Industrial Park Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) district to encourage industrial development. The New Energy ethanol plant, the Airco carbon dioxide plant and the expansion of two existing facilities were some of the immediate successes of the TIF. The TIF area encompassed approximately 412 acres of industrial zoned land on the far west side of the City. The_ attractiveness of this area consisted of flat, open topography suitable for large industrial buildings, access to rail lines, and access to the St. Joseph Valley Freeway (then known as the US 31 Bypass), which connected to Elkhart County, the State of Michigan, and the Indiana Toll Road. In particular to the ethanol plant, the proximity to the south- western agricultural areas of St. Joseph County provided an easy means for farmers to truck in their crops. In 1993, this TIF was merged with the 220 acre Studebaker Corridor Development Area TIF to create the 2,400 acre Sample Ewing Development Area (SEDA). The joining of these two areas reinforced the City's planning efforts to attract industry and to have the financial means to help finance infrastructure development. Part of the original infrastructure development consisted of the construction of New Energy Drive and the necessary sewer and water extensions to support the ethanol plant. The Annexation Area borders the SEDA on the north and east sides. New Energy Drive, located on the western boundary of the Annexation Area, was one of the previously mentioned improvements connected with the original TIF district. The potential development of the Annexation Area is well within the scope of activity that was anticipated, and encouraged, for this part of the County. For these reasons, it is desirable that the Annexation Area have the same development standards as its neighboring properties in the City. Development of properties