Special Bd. of Aldermen — 03/6/2018 Page 3
We needed to be able to have those TIF dollars available to actually attract them here and the promises that
were made to invest those TIF dollars back into infrastructure improvements not only for them to establish
themselves here but also for future growth. Indiana Packers is actually in excess of 67 percent of water and
wastewater utilities.
The ability to have enough water to supply our needs and also enough proper pre-treatment and post
treatment for wastewater discharge allows us to continue operations and to expand in the future.
TIF helps existing companies expand. Corporations have plants located all over the world. They can choose
to expand anywhere. TIF monies helps weigh companies to grow in Indiana.
Many of our competitors chose Mexico simply because they have a lot lower labor rates and therefore their
overall costs for manufacturing could be lower. We at Subaru wanted to continue our success here in Indiana
and wanted to bring over the Impreza for production here. So we went to our parent company and said if we
were able to get support from the local government to help that level that playing field would it be possible to
bring the Impreza here and they agreed with us based on the fact that we got $1.2 million in infrastructure
improvements through tax increment financing in addition to $750,000 to help train our workers. Very
important to level that playing field.
Like Subaru, Alcoa sees the importance of continuing its success in Indiana. A driving factor in the decision to
add a new aluminum lithium plan to their Lafayette facility was the community's demonstrated commitment to
the manufacturer.
The competition for this facility was brisk. There were multiple locations within Alcoa that wanted to land the
facility. For Alcoa, it becomes a business decision as to which location to choose. The TIF grant was critical in
that it supported the business case for us that said this will be a lower cast facility than the others. It’s located
in a region in a County, in a State, in the City that wants to grow with Alcoa.
Typically infrastructure is equated with physical capital but there is also human capital. The workforce — a
prescreened and trained workforce enables a new or expanded plant to be up and running faster and smarter.
TIF provides funding to specifically train employees to fit the needs of manufacturers through an advanced
manufacturing program.
It was really the brainchild of a variety of people coming together to say what can we do to prepare the
workforce. Since the program began being offered here through our corporate college, it has now spread
across the State.
| think it’s important to know that the (inaudible) training program for certified production technicians holds the
students accountable for being on time, being there for every classroom session, participation, going through a
drug screen. All things that are important to an employer like Nanchan.
Speaking as the current Board Chairman for the Indiana Manufacturing Association, the access to the TIF
funding is critical important. Manufacturers across the State share similar challenges in finding the skilled
talent that they need for the jobs that they’re adding to their organizations or if the jobs are changing in their
organizations. Access to those dollars really helps in upgrading the skillsets by providing that special training
for individuals to fill those jobs across the State. | think it’s one of the things that separates us from a lot of
States.
Lafayette, Indiana, transformed a blighted, dangerous apartment complex into an inviting thriving
neighborhood.
