In June, 2007 Airport TIF funds became available for the revitalization of the LaSalle Square area.  The February meeting of the Community Forum for Economic Development will be a public meeting to hear and discuss the next steps in this process, which is important not only for residents and businesses in the LaSalle Square area,…

            Tax abatement reform comes to South Bend.  An ordinance very similar to the one passed by the St. Joseph County Council last year will now be considered by the South Bend Common Council.   Coalition for Responsible Tax Abatement             The ordinance before the Council is supported by the Coalition for Responsible Tax Abatement,…

A new page has been added to the Community Forum web site.  See the page on Tax Abatement Documents in the right-hand column.  There you will find the complete text of Bill 25-10, the tax abatement proposal sent to the South Bend Common Council on May 19th by Mayor Luecke (with the support of six…

VITA (VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE)              Looking for an interesting volunteer opportunity?  Want to use your mind at the same time that you are providing a real service to low and moderate-income residents of our community.  Want to meet interesting people, both your fellow volunteers as well as taxpayers with varied backgrounds?  Then VITA is…

On November 4, the Coalition for Responsible Tax Abatement introduced a revision to tax abatement bill 25-10.  This revision merged the best parts of bill 61-10 (introduced by Pat McMahon of Project Future) into bill 25-10, while still retaining the five principles the Coalition thinks need to be included in any tax abatement bill. Read…

September meeting of the Community Forum for Economic Development                 Tuesday, September 20, 2011         7 p.m., LaSalle Branch Library (2323 Ardmore Trail, SB)   The focus for the September meeting will be "Right to Work" legislation – what does it mean, how has it been used against the labor movement, its effect on economic…