October 25, 2007
MAYOR REA TOUTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE; SAYS HE’S BEST CHOICE FOR MISHAWAKA MAYOR
Mayor Jeff Rea today released information about why he believes he is the best choice for Mishawaka Mayor. Rea cited his experience working on economic development opportunities as an important factor.
Mayor Rea commented “All candidates talk about encouraging economic development and bringing jobs to our community. We are actually doing it. We have a real plan that is making a difference in our community. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and look forward to continuing to implement our plan for growing our local economy. I’m excited about the work my team and I have done and the difference we are making in Mishawaka. Our work has netted record years of new construction and development in all sectors, including industrial, commercial, and residential. Our work though has only started, and I am hoping for an opportunity to build upon the successes we’ve had these first four years.”
Rea added “There is no one single solution to encouraging economic development or bringing new jobs. Instead, it requires a comprehensive plan that deals with a number of factors. I believe I am the only candidate with that plan. It includes:
· Building Sound Infrastructure: Businesses will only locate in a community where sound infrastructure exists. In the last four years we have taken unprecedented steps that were necessary to insure that Mishawaka is set up to serve our growing community. We have undergone a significant expansion of our wastewater treatment facility that includes additional capacity for our growth. We took the steps necessary to begin the Main Street Underpass of the Canadian National Railroad. This project was on the City Capital Improvement Plan for almost two decades and was not started until we were able to negotiate a reimbursement agreement with St. Joseph County when I first took office. The implementation of these and other improvements will be a key to future growth.
· Providing Reliable and Affordable Power
During my first term the City negotiated a new long term wholesale purchase power agreement that will allow Mishawaka Utility electric rates to remain consistently lower than the corresponding rates charged for delivery by American Electric Power. During storms or accidents, Mishawaka routinely has power back on or has built redundant feeds to make sure our residents and businesses are well served. In 2006, unplanned outages were reduced by 80% when compared to the historical data collected in 2000.
· Expanding City Sewer and Water services
A critical part of attracting new businesses is growing our sewer and water systems making development possible in new or underserved areas. In 2006 alone the City extended 6.4 miles of water main, predominately funded by new construction. The City also has worked out agreements on the extension of sanitary sewer service for large developments like South Bend Orthopedics, at Elm Road and Jackson, just south of the Bypass. We will continue to make these needed improvements in strategic areas that maximize economic development potential under my administration.
· Planning for Capital Avenue
This corridor being constructed by the State of Indiana represents the single greatest opportunity for Mishawaka’s long term growth and economic health. During the last four years the City has taken the necessary steps to insure that when development comes, the City of Mishawaka can grow and that our infrastructure will be in place to service the entire corridor. The City negotiated a utility corridor adjacent to the State right-of-way to minimize costs. A new sewer river crossing was constructed providing much needed capacity in this growth area. We expect great things as the next sections are completed over the next few years.
· Building the Metronet/Fiber Optics
Keeping up with and providing access to technology is critical to business retention and development. In 2007 the City solidified an agreement with the St. Joe Valley Metronet to become part of a 60 mile state of the art fiber network. This service will pass every utility, civil city facility, and school in the City. This network is also designed to be extended to the economic development areas adjacent to the new hospital and Capital Avenue. The implementation of this system over the next four years will provide the City a competitive edge over other markets.
· Providing Partnerships with Businesses
Part of any good economic development plan is the ability to partner with private industry and business. The St. Joseph Regional Medical Center is a good example of how the City has worked to build and expand roads in partnership to insure that this $350 million medical facility not only stays in the community, but it is being developed strategically in an area with available land. This hospital will serve as a catalyst for continued investment and high paying jobs for our community.
· Providing Partnerships with Developers
Part of any good redevelopment plan is strategically spending City dollars to encourage the private sector to take on some of the problems and challenges the City is facing. A good example of this is the partnership the City had with Prime Development to help with the removal of structures and debris to promote the removal of dilapidated mobile home parks along Jefferson Boulevard. This not only made way for new development, but also eliminated a continual code and crime enforcement problem for the City. We are working on more partnerships and hope to continue our success over the next four years.
· Promoting Good Schools for Our Children
Another factor that is a consideration for businesses to locate in a particular are is the health and quality of the local public school systems. We are fortunate in Mishawaka to be served predominantly by two well respected school systems- School City of Mishawaka and Penn-Harris Madison. As Mayor, we continue to build relationships and promote these valued community assets.
· Partnering and Promoting Higher Education
Another factor that is a consideration for business development is our proximity to and partnerships with higher education. The City of Mishawaka is well served by the close proximity of world class institutions of higher learning. To help further relationship and image in our community, the City partnered this year with Bethel College to enhance their entrance on Logan Street, providing an image commensurate to the quality of the education and its status in the City. Over the next four years it will be important for the City to reach out and build additional partnerships, including those institutions currently located outside of the City limits.
· Contributing to a Great Quality of Life
A City can have all the necessary elements on paper that looks good to a business and still lose out to another community based on quality of life. In Mishawaka we continue to promote and build upon our outstanding park system, excellent public safety services, strong residential neighborhoods, abundant retail and cultural activities. During my administration specifically, we have and will continue to place a lot of emphasis upon our greatest natural resource, the St. Joseph River.
· Providing a Responsive Staff
Under my administration, the City takes pride in being responsive to business. We work to find solutions to problems and not be another obstacle that will deter business from making the decision to locate here. We make a point to contact our local manufacturers and understand the marketplace that they need to compete in. Quarterly we conduct roundtable discussions with representatives of different industries to make sure the City is responsive to their needs.
· Creating a First-class Promotional Package
Part of the role of any City is to promote itself. Under my administration we now have new informational DVD’s that explain to businesses exactly why Mishawaka is a great place to do business, work, live, and raise a family. Rather than rely on mailings or reproduced literature that can quickly be out of date and irrelevant. Our DVD’s leave a lasting impression. They were created with clips that are easily updated easily for the ever changing market and City information. In addition, we’ve made major improvements to the City Web-Page, ensuring those looking at our area have the most up to date information.
· Developing a Clear Public Process for Developers
Once a project is proposed, a sure fire way to lose it is to not be able to establish a clear public process for approving new construction. Under my Administration in Mishawaka, we have a reputation for providing a clear, fair, and identifiable process to determine if a project meets our community standards or not.
· Providing Appropriate Incentives
Every community in the Country has developed a package of incentives they can offer to encourage economic and redevelopment that we compete with. In the City, we have developed incentives based on the type of business, the number of jobs, the value/wages of those jobs, as well as, other factors unique to a specific circumstance or property. We continue to be frugal with recommending tax abatement, but encourage it when the circumstances warrant it. In the next four years we will continue to attract and support economic development by providing necessary incentives, without excess that could negatively impact other businesses or taxpayers.
· Providing an Established Track Record of Recent Economic Growth
One of the key factors that companies look at is the overall health of a community. In the last four years we have had record new construction despite a regional downturn in residential construction. Major expansions at places like Nyloncraft, Jamil Packaging, B&B Molders, Patrick Industries, Culture Systems, and Bayer; and new businesses like Thyssen-Krupp, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, and Schurz Communications/WSBT have helped provide those job opportunities for our citizens.
Rea added “Growing our economy, creating economic growth, and establishing an environment that is conducive to new job opportunities will continue to be a top priority in my administration. In a time of shrinking budgets and global competition, I feel that my experience and leadership in this area is evident through our record of successes. I encourage every voter to evaluate this issue. I have a proven track record and relevant experience and my opponent has none.”
Rea concluded “I believe our efforts have made a noticeable difference in attracting and retaining jobs in our community. We still have work to do, and working together with our business leaders, we will build upon our economic development successes and make sure Mishawaka remains a place that is conducive to business and attracts the high quality jobs we are competing for in the global marketplace.”
Paid for and authorized by the Jeff Rea for Mayor Committee
P.O. Box 861
Mishawaka, IN 46546-0861
(574) 255-5081
e-mail: reaformayor@aol.com