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Nanoelectronics Discovery, it is imperative that our children be prepared for emerging <br />high-tech and other opportunities. I support the proposed action by the Redevelopment <br />Commission to take the next step to allow planning to proceed with its very tight time <br />schedule.” <br /> <br />For more than a year, the school corporation has had a committee studying the feasibility <br />of a new tech high school in support of efforts to graduate students with knowledge and <br />st <br />skills needed for the 21 century. <br /> <br />New Tech High School is a technology-rich school design that uses project-based <br />learning with a rigorous curriculum, according to the SBCSC web site. The model <br />promotes improved teaching and curriculum by enhancing the connection between school <br />and real-work application. <br /> <br />The school corporation has received support in the planning from the New Tech <br />Foundation and the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of <br />Indianapolis. The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County also has agreed to work in <br />partnership with the schools on the effort. <br /> <br />Current plans are for the school to begin in August for students entering ninth grade, with <br />an additional class added each year. According to the school corporation, funding to <br />support the renovation is needed for remodeling work to begin on schedule to enable <br />completion of the facility by July in preparation for the first class. <br /> <br />TIF districts are a public-financing method designed to capture the increased property tax <br />value that results from economic growth because of public and private investment. This <br />growth generates new tax revenues, known as the increment, which finances <br />improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas where economic growth would not <br />otherwise occur. <br /> <br />TIF revenues may not be used for operating expenses, such as salaries and benefits or <br />utility costs. <br /> <br />The Airport Economic Development Area, the largest TIF district in South Bend with <br />more than 60 percent of the overall TIF resources, was expanded in 2007 to include <br />LaSalle Square, the Marycrest-Hurwich area along Western Avenue and the Sample- <br />Ewing Development Area, home to the Studebaker Corridor and Ignition Park. <br /> <br />- 30 - <br /> <br /> <br />