Just as a reminder to relate to the cost of the medical mart and the new convention center construction, bonding and payments, don't forget that the County already spends heavily with tax fund for the convention business.
The County - via the bed tax - provides $7.5 million annually at this point to promote the convention business.
Over the last 16 years, county taxpayers have been the Convention & Visitor Bureau, now known by the silly name, "Positively Cleveland," more than $100 million.
Yes, that's one hundred million dollars!
The business members of "Positively Cleveland" gave $450,000.
To read more detail about this, check Lakewood Buzz at http://www.lakewoodbuzz.com/RoldoBartimole/RB-122607-Cleveland%20Convention%20Bureau-Lakewood%20Ohio.html [1]
As I've said before, downtown Cleveland floats on a sea of subsidies.
Links:
[1] http://www.lakewoodbuzz.com/RoldoBartimole/RB-122607-Cleveland%20Convention%20Bureau-Lakewood%20Ohio.html
[2] http://li326-157.members.linode.com/content/who-owns-q-arena-who-takes-profits
[3] http://li326-157.members.linode.com/content/roldo-bartimole-0
[4] http://li326-157.members.linode.com/content/why-mmpi-already-saying-it-will-subsidize-tenants