ANGOLA — Trine University President Earl Brooks II said Monday he was disheartened and discouraged by the Steuben County Commissioners’ rejection of a proposed economic development partnership with the university.
“I thought they delivered a very clear message that there is no commitment to jobs and economic development or growth for Steuben County,” Brooks said.
“I feel really bad for the communities who stepped forward to help,” Brooks added.
Last week, the City of Angola pledged $1 million toward the project. Earlier this month, the town councils of Hamilton and Fremont voted to give $30,000 apiece to support the proposal, and the Hudson Town Council offered $4,500.
“I think public opinion has been in support of this project,” Brooks added.
The initiative was Trine’s response to the Steuben County Economic Development Corp.’s strategic plan released last year. Brooks said. Among the plan’s core principles are collaboration and innovation.
“I’m puzzled that they (commissioners) do not support the strategic plan that they funded,” Brooks said.
The commissioners did not allow any public comments during Monday’s meeting, saying there had been adequate opportunity for public comments during previous public hearings.
“It’s really sad that no public input was allowed today,” Brooks said. “I think it was a staged event. Members of the negotiating committee that they appointed were insulted and had their time wasted. This group has worked very closely together to come together to make a presentation. That group was not allowed to make a presentation. I think they (commissioners) were somewhat afraid to be challenged.”
Angola City Councilman and negotiating committee member Dave Martin said he had hoped to present the plan at Monday’s meeting.
“You just shut us down,” Martin told Smith after the meeting.
“The commissioners have always viewed this as spending, versus investment in jobs,” Brooks said. “I’m not sure they ever totally understood the concept.”
After Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Loretta Smart said she would like to talk to Trine about Smith’s proposal to offer the university an interest-free loan to fund the project.
“No one has contacted us from the commission,” Brooks said Monday afternoon. “I think it’s kind of interesting, Now they’ll loan money to do their job.”
Brooks said the university is an educational institution that does not have to invest in economic development.
“This was an opportunity to assist them in economic development and jobs,” Brooks added.
Brooks said Trine will continue to move forward with the project and on Wednesday will meet with county commissioners from St. Joseph County, Mich.
“We’ve had some dialogue with the economic development corporation and a county council member from LaGrange County as well,” Brooks said.
“Trine University is fine,” he concluded. “This project will work for us. Steuben County lost, and lost in a very big way.”