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REGULAR MEETING January 28, 2019
<br /> named it Grace Steel. We appreciate your support and this project wouldn't be possible without
<br /> all the support we've gotten from the City.
<br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bills, proponents and
<br /> opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none.
<br /> Councilmember Tim Scott asked, Dan, you mentioned the $243,000, that doesn't include any
<br /> economic impact of having,basically, twenty(20) workers in our City, does it?
<br /> Mr. Buckenmeyer replied, No, that doesn't even factor that in. It is a certified Woman-Owned
<br /> Business as well.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, One (1) of the things we've talked about with
<br /> economic development is, of course,bringing jobs. That is really important. Also important is one
<br /> (1) of the statistics I heard that a lot of the jobs we have in South Bend are actually held by people
<br /> who live outside the City. Do you have any recruitment plans for those positions?
<br /> Mr.Andre replied,We would love to have people from the neighborhood and the area there.There
<br /> is certainly a shortage of workers in the surrounding counties, as well. So, we have not started to
<br /> reach out there yet, but we certainly plan to.
<br /> Councilmember Regina Williams-Preston stated, Well, I look forward to working with you,
<br /> anything, maybe tap into schools and see what we can do to train up people to fill some of those
<br /> jobs right from the neighborhood.
<br /> Mr. Andre replied, That would be fantastic. In fact, we talked about it a little bit when
<br /> Councilmember Davis came out to visit us on Sunday. We appreciate him coming out. We really
<br /> do want to reach out to the community.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, I have just a couple comments. I really love this particular
<br /> project and each time you present, I love it more. Here's why, ok? From my calculations, there is
<br /> environmental clean-up, you are improving a site, you're recycling a building use, and your
<br /> product is the second life of a material. How can we help you deliver on what I think would really
<br /> knock this out of the ballpark even further? That is the intentional advertising, recruiting and
<br /> training,helping you, what resources can we, as a community,bring to you to help land these jobs
<br /> with the neighbors? Hopefully we continue the conversation to see how we can support that.
<br /> Mr. Andre replied, We would really appreciate that.
<br /> Councilmember Karen White stated, I want to say thank you and I love the title of your business.
<br /> I look forward to working with you.
<br /> Mr. Andre replied, Thank you.
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated, Amazing grace. First (1st) of all, it was a pleasure meeting
<br /> with you all. Thank you for the tour of your facility. I really look forward to that sunshiny picture
<br /> down there. The people who did your art really captured that essence. It's nice to see who you all
<br /> are, through our conversation yesterday. We talked about not only your business and not only the
<br /> workers but building up the neighborhood there. As you see, and as I told you, right across the
<br /> street is where I get my haircut. Of course, the donuts are right next to them, too. Very delicious
<br /> to go along with this whole project. And so, it's a great spot in town that, I think, to have this
<br /> revitalizing. That's the whole thing. I appreciate your comments too, regarding the other situation
<br /> we were dealing with today. It puts it all in context that while this is industrial, sometimes people
<br /> don't put industrial and environment all in the same concept. You know what I mean? I like that
<br /> your proposal is industrial and is a green kind of concept. It is something we really need to push
<br /> more because when you think about industrial, it's just like a dump, trash, whatever, any kind of
<br /> thing, pollution, but you're not coming with that. You're coming with industrial, building up the
<br /> community, cleaning up the environment, and all in one (1). That's what we really need in that
<br /> area. It's a different approach that often has been over-looked. I think your organization and
<br /> company can be a catalyst for change in that area. As we talked yesterday about nearby schools
<br /> such as Navarre, Harrison and others. You were talking about buyback and you are already with
<br /> the UEA. It's just nice to hear in the conversation with everything. So, I want to thank you again
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