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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> $30,000 to a small business development corridor on Lincoln Way which is a partnership with <br /> SCORE and we are looking to partner with them on another grant that we won for minority <br /> contractors to do work with the City.As well as with other contractors and entities within the City, <br /> whether it's Notre Dame,the schools,IUSB,but to build capacity for construction workers to work <br /> on jobs that we are seeing across the City. That grant is $50,000 and then we have seeded the <br /> Business Development Center with $30,000. We are recruiting minority contractors right now so <br /> if you know anyone or would like to participate please let us know. The cohort will be twenty(20) <br /> minority business owners. It can be a start-up or someone that has been established for quite some <br /> time that needs help establishing themselves or understanding the processes and capitalizing their <br /> business. It's a very comprehensive program that we are looking forward to emerging. On the <br /> contractor piece we are developing a curriculum as to what folks need to understand for the <br /> upcoming program. The Abatement Program that came up before, we are not completely sure <br /> about the legality of this and what's involved on the state statue level, like can you tax abatement <br /> on home repairs? So that's something we need to sort through. Also as you look into programs <br /> you focus on legacy homeowners, is it something that is really going to give a resident a bang for <br /> their buck or help at all cause when you look at the residential tax abatement piece,it's really small <br /> dollars. It's small dollars to us and maybe on the residential side it's a big impact. But these are <br /> the kind of things that we really need to unfold and continue to take a look at. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, I am very mindful that we keep our meeting to what I promised, <br /> one (1) hour, and I want to make sure everyone has had an opportunity to talk. The purpose of <br /> today's meeting was to report back on updated information but also to share with you ways you <br /> can become engaged in the process and who to contact. Again the next step will be to create the <br /> template that you can drop these priorities in and that's where the real work begins. You know I <br /> may have a priority but what does that mean, what does that look like, and how do I put together <br /> a strategic plan behind that. Who needs to be at the table, what's involved, what's it going to cost <br /> and so having a template is going to help move that forward. I want to make sure that each Council <br /> person has an opportunity for closing comments,but before that I want to make sure everyone has <br /> had a chance to speak. Mr. Plump I have not heard from you today. <br /> Dennis Plump, 302 South Chicago Street, South Bend, IN stated, I just want to say that everything <br /> I have heard this evening has been on the positive side. I am the type of person, I believe what a <br /> person says until they show something different and when I do comment it is to the truth because <br /> that's what's been shown. That's the old school, actions speak louder than words and the template <br /> is the action and I want to thank you,the Council and everyone for bringing things into existence. <br /> It's something in our neighborhood that we have been waiting for, for some time. But anything <br /> that starts and begins is always going to need some improvement too. I am at the point right now <br /> where I believe I go along with everything but now the next step is action. <br /> Committee Chair White stated, I am going to turn it over to Councilmember John Voorde, any <br /> comments? <br /> Councilmember Voorde replied, I heard the resident tax abatement idea mentioned a couple of <br /> times. I was an assessor for thirteen (13) years and I think sometimes there is a misunderstanding <br /> about what is assessable and might increase the value of your home. If you do normal upgrades, <br /> like more efficient windows,new siding,new roof,paint,new carpeting,none of that is assessable. <br /> You can do all of that and your assessable value will probably never go up a dime because that's <br /> not what the assessor looks for. What the assessor looks for is one (1) additional square footage,if <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 lf574.235.9173 TTD574.235.5567 1www.southbendin.gov <br /> 11 <br />