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Convention facilities authority elects officers

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By Elaine Morris Roberts, Staff Writer 7:01 PM Tuesday, November 24, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The newly-formed Clark County Convention Facilities Authority elected a slate of officers Tuesday, Nov. 24, naming former Springfield City Manager Matt Kridler as chairman.

Other officers are Vice Chairman Ron Lyons, Secretary Marcia Lyons and Treasurer Charles Ingle.

The CFA was established in September after Clark County Commissioners passed a resolution.

Last month, the CFA levied an additional 3 percent hotel/motel tax to be collected starting Dec. 1 which is expected to generate about $330,000 next year.

The majority of the funds will be used to support area tourism destinations and hospitality venues such as the Champions Center, Westcott House and the Springfield Museum of Art.

A budget model issued at the meeting showed a little more than 10 percent, or about $36,000 of the budget going to operations, including $2,000 to be used for accounting services and $8,000 to be paid to the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce as a one-time reimbursement for start-up and legal fees.

The remaining amount — about $296,000 — would be given to area organizations, but with specifications for use.

An intentionally broad mission statement, encompassing public and not-for-profit entities that foster growth in Clark County’s tourism industry, was adopted to allow the CFA to reach as many entities as possible, Kridler said.

Initial priorities, to be decided in the coming months, will likely be the Champions Center and Clark County Fairgrounds, said Chamber President Mike McDorman. That’s because about 60 percent of all local overnight stays are generated by events and businesses at the equestrian center and fairgrounds, he said.

The venues the CFA supports need to be drivers for overnight guests since those they generate the tax dollars that will allow the organization to do its work, he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.

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