August Meeting of the Community Forum

TAX ABATEMENTS AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS will be the focus of the NEXT MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY FORUM FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — scheduled for Tuesday, August 21, from 7-9 PM, in LaSalle Square.

This posting contains information about the public meeting that can be forwarded as is.  The attachment is a copy of a flyer that can be printed, and posted or distributed. We hope you’ll help communicate information about this meeting to friends, neighbors, and members of organizations in which you are
active. See you on the 21st!

Download Tax_abatement_mtg.pdf (86.9K)

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WHEN ARE TAX ABATEMENTS FOR BUSINESSES JUSTIFIED?
HOW CAN WE USE TAX BREAKS TO BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES?

In 2006, businesses in South Bend were awarded
tax abatements worth $4.3 million in reduced property tax payments.
When some businesses get tax breaks, residential property owners and
other businesses must pay more.

On Tuesday, August 21, from 7-9 PM
at the Minority Health Coalition office, 
915 N. Bendix Drive (in LaSalle Square)

The Community Forum for Economic Development will host a
public meeting on the use of tax abatements in South Bend, Mishawaka,
and St. Joseph County.  A panel of community leaders will discuss how
tax abatements could be used to encourage important community benefits,
such as

• Self-sufficiency wages for employees
  Dawn Chapla, Director of Labor and Community Services for the United Way
   
• Prevailing wages for construction workers
  Mike Compton, Business Manager of Electrical Workers Local 153, Mishawaka City Councilman
• Energy-efficient building standards
  Christine Fiordalis, President of the Sierra Club
   
• Addressing the needs of economically distressed areas
  Charlotte Pfeifer, SB Common Council, District 2
   
• Equal employment opportunities through affirmative action programs
  Trina Robinson, President of the NAACP
   

A critique of the current South Bend Tax Abatement Ordinance and how
the Community Forum for Economic Development proposes to strengthen it.  Marty Wolfson, Economist at the University of Notre Dame, Citizen Representative on Community & Econ. Dev. Committee, SB Common Council

Rafael Morton, President of the St. Joseph County Council, will serve as the moderator of the program.

For more information, contact developmentforum@sjvp.org or call 287-3834.