12-12-11 Community & Economic Development Committee

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Councilmember Varner commented that South Bend dollars should be used to promote South Bend not diluted promoting regional development. Linda Wolfson cautioned that the withdrawn Bill No. 11 -60 was a capacity building measure while Bill NO. 11 -76 was not. Rouse responded that current economic development efforts for minorities were too fragmented. A study would focus efforts. Rev. Hardie Blake said that too often responses to economic development initiatives for minorities lack advocacy for growing minority business capacity. He argued the MBE /WBE Utilization Board should do more than act as a "gatekeeper." He said evidence of discrimination is apparent. He added that efforts by the city to require certification for minority business to qualify for City business while non - minorities did not need certification were discriminatory. Rouse responded saying that a disparity study could identify discriminatory obstacles and work to remove them. Kyle Chamberlin suggested the study not necessarily be funded by the city; but rely on other entities such as the universities and the Chamber to both fund and broaden the study beyond just South Bend. Rouse disagreed saying the direction and control of a study might be compromised without City funding. Ultimately Bill No. 11 -76 was given a favorable recommendation to Council after a motion from Councilmember White a second by Murray Miller and support by all. The next item on the agenda, Bill No. 75 -11, was presented by Barnes & Thornburg Attorney Alan Feldbaum representing PEI /Genesis. Mr. Feldbaum recounted how the Council had previously approved the issuance of economic development bonds for PEI/Genesis to fund their expansion. They were now requesting another approval, this time for a bond re- structuring. He explained this was being done to take advantage of lower interest rates; but still have no financial obligation for the city. Murray Miller asked if PEI/Genesis had met the requirements of the tax abatement they were granted in 2006? Don Inks said all goals were not only met, but exceeded. All 140 jobs were preserved and 83 new jobs were created where the target promised was only 12.