Community Forum for Economic Development

Nov 17: Membership meeting of the Community Forum

November meeting of the Community Forum for Economic Development Tuesday, November 17, 7 PM, LaSalle Branch Library (3232 West Ardmore Trail)

The Membership meeting will begin promptly at 7.  CFED members will be asked to approve the By-Laws of the newly incorporated Community Forum for Economic Development of St. Joseph County, Inc. and to elect the first Board of Directors for that organization.

Following this business meeting, the main topic of discussion will be the 2010 U.S. Census.  According to the Complete Count Committee, a county-wide group working to promote citizen involvement in the Census process, census data "directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments.  Most importantly, census data is critical in day-to-day planning activities for both local governments and private entities in determining, for example, locations for new hospitals, improving schools, building new roads, expanding public transportation options and creating new maps for emergency responders.  The State of Indian has calculated that for each person counted, approximately $826 per person per year of Federal distributions is realized."

Please plan to join us at the November meeting!

Nov 13: Lunch with the League

From the South Bend League of Women Voters......

Lunch with the League Friday, November 13, South Bend Chocolate Cafe (122 S. Michigan St.)

As part of its American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 Series, 

State Senator John Broden: "ARRA 2009: The State Level"

Speaker begins at 12:00 noon.  Come as early as 11:30 A.M. to order lunch.

This event is free and open to the public.

OCT 20 STIMULUS FORUM PANEL FINALIZED

NEW INFORMATION ON OCTOBER 20 FORUM: "WHERE'S THE MONEY GOING?"

The Community Forum for Economic Development will sponsor a public forum on stimulus spending in St. Joseph County, on October 20, 2009, at 7 PM.

The location of this forum has been changed to M.R.Falcons, 3213 Keller St. South Bend (at the corner of Keller and Bendix Drive).

This event will focus on the impact of federal stimulus funds upon economic opportunities for residents of St. Joseph County.

A panel of presenters includes:

John Hagen from the CFED, who will present a brief overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, City of South Bend,

Pam Meyer, Director of the Division of Community Development, City of South Bend,

Ken Prince, Director of Planning and Development, City of Mishawaka, and

Dr. Myrtle Wilson, Deputy Superintendent of the South Bend Community School Corporation.

Their presentations will be followed by questions and comments from the audience.

You can download a flyer about the event here:Download Flyer for stimulus forum  

UP-COMING EVENTS

WHERE'S THE MONEY GOING?

A PUBLIC FORUM ON STIMULUS SPENDING IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

Tuesday, October 20, 7 pm, LaSalle Branch Library, sponsored by the Community Forum for Economic Development

Mark your calendar and watch for additional information about this event.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009. The expressed purpose of the $787 billion Recovery package is to jump-start the economy to create and save jobs. Twenty-eight federal agencies are distributing Recovery funds though 217 specific programs.  How will this money impact economic opportunities for residents of St. Joseph County?  Local officials will join us to discuss these important economic development issues.

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Additional information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,

From the League of Women Voters.....

Federal, State, and Local Leaders will "Lunch with the League" over the next few months to explain how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 impacts you and your family.  The ARRA is the economic stimulus package enacted by Congress in February.  The Lunch with the League series on the ARRA is designed to help inform the community about the Act's impact at the federal, state, and local levels.

Friday, October 9, is the first of the three programs and will feature U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly.  Indiana State Senators John Broden will discuss state-related issues at the November 13 program and Mayors Luecke and Rea will attend the December 11 lunch to explain the impact the ARRA on local governments.

"Lunch with the League" is a monthly activity of the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area.  The public is invited to participate.  Arrive at the Chocolate Cafe as early as 11:30 to purchase your lunch.  The discussion will begin at noon.

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HEALTH CARE FOR ALL!

A Rally to Support Health Care Reform is being planned by a large number of community and labor organizations.

It  will take place on Saturday, October 10, at 1:30 pm, in front of the Morris Theatre in South Bend.

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"MORTGAGE SURVIVAL: WHERE TO FIND HELP AND LEARN WHAT NOT TO DO"

Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Teamsters 364 Hall, 2405 Edison Road South Bend (just east of Edison & Ironwood)

(One of a series of activities during MONEY SMART  WEEK, October 10 - 17, 2009)

Mortgage help is out there!  Discover the programs that help you make your mortgage affordable.  Learn from local counselors about the pitfalls in obtaining a mortgage.  Talk to a counselor from Notre Dame Legal Aid after the session for free advice.

Sponsored by the Community Forum for Economic Development, Neighborhood Resources Corporation, Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic, South Bend Heritage Foundation, Teamsters Local 364, and the United Way Department of Community Services.

For a complete listing of activities in St. Joseph County see www.chicagofed.org/news_and_conferences/conferences_and_events/moneysmartpublic/index.cfm?maincityid=4

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From the Saint Joseph Valley Project .......

11th Annual Jobs & Justice Dinner

Thursday, October 29, 2009 

At the Mishawaka FOP, 1825 East 12th St. Mishawaka, Social Hour from 5 - 6 P.M., Dinner at 6:30 P.M.

Guest Speaker: Jerome Ringo, President of the Apollo Alliance - "Rebuild America Clean & Green"

Join in honoring Local Award Winners:

Glenda Rae Hernandez, Community Activist

Robin Forsythe, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 172, Labor Activist

Nancy Nichols, Broadway Christian Parish, Faith Activist

Gladys Muhammad, South Bend Heritage Foundation, Grassroots Organizing

Tickets: Student - $15, Individual - $30, Two or more - $25, Table of 8 - $200.

To purchase tickets, send a check, made payable to St. Joseph Valley Project, to 2015 W. Western Avenue, Suite 209, South Bend IN 46619

To join CFED members at our tables, contact John Hagan, jr_hagen@sbcglobal.net, 291-7546.

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INFORMATION ON UP-COMING EVENTS

From the League of Women Voters .....

"9/11 - The 8th Anniversary - Are We Safer Now?"

Lunch with the League - Friday September 11, 2009

At the South Bend Chocolate Cafe, 122 S. Michigan St., South Bend

Guest Speaker: Dan Lindley, Associate Professor of Political Science, Univ. of Notre Dame

Speaker begins at 12:00 noon; Come as early as 11:30 A.M. to order lunch.

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From the NAACP.....

"NAACP - 100 Years: Bold Dreams - Big Victories"

Annual Luncheon - Saturday, September 26, 2009, 

At The Landing, 2801 S. Michigan Street, South Bend at 11:30 A.M.

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Hilary Shelton, Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau

Ticket Cost: $35.00   For tickets contact: NAACP Office - 574-289-2123 or Rebecca Johnson - 574-233-8624

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From the Saint Joseph Valley Project .......

11th Annual Jobs & Justice Dinner

Thursday, October 29, 2009 

At the Mishawaka FOP, 1825 East 12th St. Mishawaka, Social Hour from 5 - 6 P.M., Dinner at 6:30 P.M.

Guest Speaker: Jerome Ringo, President of the Apollo Alliance - "Rebuild America Clean & Green"

Join in honoring Local Award Winners:

Glenda Rae Hernandez, Community Activist

Robin Forsythe, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 172, Labor Activist

Nancy Nichols, Broadway Christian Parish, Faith Activist

Gladys Muhammad, South Bend Heritage Foundation, Grassroots Organizing

Tickets: Student - $15, Individual - $30, Two or more - $25, Table of 8 - $200.

To purchase tickets, send a check, made payable to St. Joseph Valley Project, to 2015 W. Western Avenue, Suite 209, South Bend IN 46619

To join CFED members at our tables, contact John Hagan, jr_hagen@sbcglobal.net, 291-7546.

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FINALLY:

IF YOU HAVEN'T YET VISITED THE URBAN GARDEN MARKET ON SOUTH BEND'S WEST SIDE, YOU STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

THE MARKET WILL BE OPEN EACH SATURDAY MORNING, FROM 8 A.M. TO 1 P.M., UNTIL OCTOBER 31.

IT IS LOCATED AT 1025 N. BENDIX DRIVE, ONE BLOCK SOUTH OF LINCOLN WAY WEST.

THIS OPEN-AIR FARMERS MARKET HAS RESULTED FROM COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO BRING FRESH PRODUCE (AND BAKED GOODS) TO THIS UNDER-SERVED AREA OF SOUTH BEND.  COME FOR THE FOOD -- AND ALSO FOR THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY THAT YOU'LL FIND THERE.

June 16: CFED Meeting to Show Film, "The Rebirth of Dudley Street"

"HOLDING GROUND, The Rebirth of Dudley Street" will be shown on Tuesday, June 16, at 7 PM, in the Dickinson Room of the St. Joseph County Library (304 S Main, SB). This 1997 documentary tells the inspiring story of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative and shows how members of one Boston neighborhood were able to create and carry out their own agenda for change. Through this initiative, residents fought to close down illegal dumps, gained unprecedented control of land from City Hall and created a comprehensive plan to rebuild the fabric of their community. The event, sponsored by the Community Forum for Economic Development, is free and open to the public.

Construction Workers Protest at WNIT and Holladay Corporation

Members of IBEW Local 153 are questioning why an out-of-town electrical contractor who does not adhere to South Bend's standards for wages and benefits was chosen over local union electrical contractors who purchase supplies and pay taxes in South Bend.  Local union electricians spend their wages and pay their taxes locally. 

Members of Carpenters Local 413 are criticizing WNIT and its general contractor Holladay Construction who, either collectively or independently, decided to subcontract part of WNIT's renovation work to HGR Consulting Inc.  According to the union, HGR's employees are actually misclassified as "independent contractors," and therefore do not receive overtime pay or insurance and pension benefits.

Below you will find a letter from WNIT about the situation, and responses from the Electrical Workers and Carpenters Unions.
Download WNIT letter
Download Electrical Workers response
Download Carpenters response
Download Carpenters leaflet
Download 1099 Misclassification

May 13: County Council Gives Final Passage to Tax Abatement Ordinance

    On Tuesday, May 13, The St. Joseph County Council overrode a veto by the County Commissioners and passed Ordinance 24-09, which provides responsible standards for tax abatements.
Download Ordinance 24-09
Download Summary Ordinance 24-09
Download Sbt.09.0513.St Joseph County Council overrides tax abatement veto

April 14: County Council votes on tax abatement bill

On Tuesday, April 14th, the St. Joseph County Council will decide whether to override the veto, by County Commissioners, of Bill 90-08 (now know as ordinance 24-09).  This ordinance establishes responsible standards for the granting of tax abatements to businesses in St. Joseph County.  Bill 90-08 was adopted by the County Council on March 17, then vetoed by the County Commissioners on March 24.
Six of the nine councilmen must vote to support the ordinance if it is to take effect in our County.

The meeting will take place at 7 P.M. in the chamber room (4th floor) of the County City Building.
Although there will not be a public hearing, we urge you to show your support for the ordinance by attending the session and/or by contacting County Council members.
Contact information for the Council is here: Download How to Contact Your County Council Representative  You can also

Download Ordinance 24-09

Download Summary Ordinance 24-09

Download A recent op-ed about the tax abatement issue

Register Now for the 4th Annual Spring Forum

COMMUNITY FORUM ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT -- IMPROVING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE
  Saturday, April 18, 2009                9 am to 4 pm         IU South Bend, Wiekamp Hall 1001

To register, contact sjc.cfed@gmail.com or leave a telephone message for the Community Forum for Economic Development at 574-287-3834.

Download black and white flyer: Download CF flyer 2009 bw final

Download color flyer: Download CF flyer 2009 final

The morning program will include a keynote address by Carl Redwood, Chairman of the "One Hill Coalition," which recently negotiated a Community Benefits agreement worth millions of dollars for the residents of Pittsburgh's Hill District – the proposed site of a new sports arena.  A second presentation by Marty Wolfson, an economist from the University of Notre Dame, will discuss the current economic crisis and its implications for economic development. 

Afternoon breakout sessions will focus on specific ways we can work together to build the kind of community we all desire and deserve. Sessions will address the following topics:
        1. Job Quality in the New Green Economy
        2. Tax Increment Financing: Past, Present and Future
        3. It's Your Neighborhood: a Toolbox of Resources for Community Involvement
        4. Poverty: The Doors In and Out
        5. Connecting to our Roots: Growing a Healthy Community

        6. Community Organizing: Getting at the Source of the Problem

The event is being organized by the Community Forum for Economic Development (CFED) and is being co-sponsored by a large number of community organizations.

There is no registration fee but advance registration is requested so that an adequate number of lunches can be ordered.  The cost of the lunch is $6. and can be paid on the day of the event.  To register for the Forum or for additional information contact sjc.cfed@gmail.com or leave a telephone message for the Community Forum for Economic Development at 574-287-3834.

For more information about the Pittsburgh agreement see:
http://clawback.org/2008/10/01/cba-moves-forward-in-pittsburgh/