Redevelopment commission approves $150,000 TIF grant for middle‑school career lab

The Mooresville Redevelopment Commission on a voice vote approved Resolution 2025‑2, authorizing a $150,000 transfer from tax increment financing (TIF) to the Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation to fund a middle‑school career and training lab.

Dr. Jake Allen, who presented the program to the commission, said the lab will be located at the middle school and that "95 percent of our kids will go through that." He described about 25 modules — including electricity, HVAC, drywalling, plumbing, welding, forensics and robotics — that students will sample in half‑semester rotations to help guide high‑school pathway and post‑graduation choices. "This is going to do a lot of good for a long time," Allen said.

Commission staff noted the funding request falls below the statutory 15 percent TIF threshold for education uses and the resolution both approves the transfer and authorizes execution of the agreement with the school corporation. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote.

According to staff remarks recorded at the meeting, the transfer will be executed by the treasurer once the school returns the signed agreement; the resolution directs staff to complete that administrative step after signatures are received. Allen said the lab will be in place for the 2026–27 school year, with training and materials staged before the end of the current school year so instructors can begin work in August.

The commission also discussed public outreach and signage crediting the redevelopment commission for the project; Dr. Allen invited commissioners to attend the school board presentation scheduled for the following Tuesday. The commission did not record any roll‑call vote totals in the meeting transcript; the passage was confirmed by the chair with an "aye" voice vote.