ANGOLA — Trine University withdrew its proposal for a $28 million partnership with Steuben County Monday morning, after the university and the Steuben County Commissioners could not agree on a memorandum of understanding.
The project aimed to promote the development of new business in Steuben County, with specific emphasis on biotech and orthopedic companies.
The agreement never made it to a vote. Citing the need for an accelerated timeline, Trine University president Earl D. Brooks II withdrew the proposal after an hour of discussion.
“If the county is not interested, we have a lot of other plans of our own that we are going to move forward with,” Brooks said.
The university asked the county to spend $13.9 million of Major Moves money from the 2006 lease of the Indiana Toll Road, with Trine matching the investment dollar-for-dollar.
The proposed memorandum of understanding was nonbinding, with either party allowed to withdraw from negotiations without any legal consequence.
Monday, Commissioner Ron Smith said he would not sign anything that included dollar figures. Smith said the county does not have $13.9 million available due to other project commitments.
“We’re not closing the door on negotiations,” Smith said. “We want to see Trine University move forward in this project.”
“Strike the language and we will initial it right now,” Brooks said, offering to remove dollar figures from the document.
Brooks’ comment drew applause from many of the people who filled the commissioners’ meeting room.
Commissioner Loretta Smart said she needed more time to consider the memorandum.
“I don’t think we should sign that quickly. I think we should have time to look this over a little bit better,” Smart said. She also suggested asking Steuben County cities and towns to commit their Major Moves money to the project.
From the audience, Steuben County Council member Sara Tubergen urged the commissioners not to spend all of the county’s Major Moves money on road projects.
“There are other ways we can fund road projects,” she said. “We need to invest it and create jobs. … Delaying of action can kill a deal.’
“I feel like if you don’t sign it, you are going to lose the deal,” Tubergen continued. “This is a non-binding agreement.”
Smith and Commissioner James Crowl said they would be willing to sign a nonbinding agreement with the dollar amounts removed. Smart said she would not.
“I stand on my decision. No, not right now,” Smart said.
After the meeting, Brooks said the university’s board of trustees meets this week. He said the university is prepared to move in another direction with other partners and communities.
Brooks said as Trine forms other partnerships, jobs and tax benefits that the university had hoped would come to Steuben County now could go to other communities.
“I am surprised there was at least not a willingness to sign a document that binds neither party,” Brooks said. “I think it further attests to the lack of commitment on their part, and I think brings into question their priorities related to jobs and economic growth of Steuben County.”
Trine cancelled its plan to present the memorandum to the Steuben County Council today.
“Right now, our proposal is withdrawn,” Brooks said.
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