HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupporting a study Economic Development Opportunities Minority CommunityRESOLUTION
4140 -11
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
December 12,
Attest:
20 11
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
December 13,
20 11
City Clerk
President of Common Council
Approved and signed by me N " ' 'b 201--L .
City Clerk
LZ
RESOLUTION NO. '� t g O— L l
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
BEND, INDIANA SUPPORTING AN INITIATION FOR A STUDY TO DISCERN
HOW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE
AUGMENTED IN THE MINORITY COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, in 1993 the Community Research and Initiatives Division of United
Way of St. Joseph County Inc., published a report entitled "Facing Tomorrow:
Population, Economic and Social Trends in St. Joseph County.
WHEREAS, the report highlighted the following facts:
• Poverty is deepening in St. Joseph County
• More "at risk" than ever before
• Segregation by class, geography and race is growing
• Traditional institutions, particularly religious, family and neighborhoods will
continue to decline
• The number of female- headed families and working poor households will
continue to grow.
• Manufacturing will continue to erode, while service and retail segments will
grow, and
WHEREAS, the 2010 United States Census Report reveals the projections of
the 1993 report were accurate and persist today, and
WHEREAS, recent research conducted by Karl King and John Roos entitled
"Benchmarking South Bend" indentifies economic developments needs in the region, and
WHEREAS, research indicates the need for a strategic plan to address economic
development challenges and opportunities in particular for minority populations.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SOUTHBEND, INDIANA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section I. The Common Council recognizes the particular economic
development challenges facing the minority community in South Bend.
Section II. The Common Council supports an initiative for a study to discern
how economic opportunity can be augmented for the minority community.
Section III. The Common Council recognizes such a study can create dialogue
and provide a roadmap to creating economic opportunity which will strengthen the entire
community.
Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its
adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
3
Member of thotommon Council
SOU T11 8�
City of South Bend
��', Common Council
1865 a 441 County-City Building . 227 W. Jefferson Blvd
South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830
Derek D. Dieter
President
Oliver J. Davis
Vice - President
Timothy A. Rouse
Chairperson, Committee
of the Whole
Derek D. Dieter
First District
Henry Davis, Jr.
Second District
Thomas LaFountain
Third District
Ann Puzzello
Fourth District
December 7, 2011
Honorable Derek D. Dieter, President
South Bend Common Council
227 W. Jefferson Blvd.
South Bend, Indiana 46601
(574) 235 -9321
Fax (574) 235 -9173
http://www.southbendin-gov
Re: Resolution to initiate a study to discern how economic development can be
augmented in the minority community.
Dear Councilmembers:
For your thoughtful consideration I have filed the attached resolution under
"Special Business" at the Common Council meeting Monday, December 12,
2011.
David Varner
The purpose of the resolution is to focus attention on the lack of small business
Fifth District
economic development in the minority /women segment of South Bend's
Oliver J. Davis
population. It is my opinion that by far the largest source of untapped economic
Sixth District
potential in South Bend is the 26,000 plus African Americans who make up
26.6% of the city's population.
Al `Buddy' Kirsits
At Large
The resolution's intent is to initiate a study to highlight the need for a coordinated
economic development plan for the minority community in South Bend.
Timothy A. Rouse
Hopefully the study will provide a roadmap to enhanced economic opportunity
At Large
for these communities in need.
Karen L. White
At Large
The result should bring a litany of tangible social and economic benefits to the
entire region.
Respectfully Submitted,
Timothy A. se, Chairperson
Community and Economic Developn�eP
Committee
9" I
a� 'A,Ei.
TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND:
Your Committee of the Whole, to whom was referred:
BILL NO.
11 -76 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA SUPPORTING AN
INITIATION FOR A STUDY TO DISCERN HOW
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE
AUGMENTED IN THE MINORITY COMMUNITY
Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion,
this bill is being recommended to the full Council with a favorable
recommendation.
This bill was heard by the Community & Economic Development Committee.
Timothy Rouse
Chairperson, Committee of the Whole