3/14/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Jo Lynn Garing, [317] 327-3690 |
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Local businesses, Colts & ICVA to testify in favor of convention center expansion, new venue
INDIANAPOLIS - Representatives of the local convention industry, the Indianapolis Colts and others will present before the Indiana Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy Committee their proposal for a historic economic development project that will pump $2.25 billion into the economy and create more than 4,200 permanent jobs and 4,900 construction jobs over the next 10 years.
Making the case will be:
• Fred Glass, president, Marion County Capital Improvement Board
• Bob Bedell, president, Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association
• Tony Dungy, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts
• A representative of the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), an international trade association of companies specializing in the planning and installation of electronic systems for the home. CEDIA hosts a major convention that attracts 24,000 attendees who spend $21.6 million a year in central Indiana.
• Craig Huse of St. Elmo Steak House, one of Indiana's most successful and well-known restaurants.
• Jeff Hoffman of Exhibit House, a unique full service exhibit designer, builder and service provider located in Indianapolis that benefits from Indiana's convention business.
WHEN: Tomorrow - Tuesday, March 15; 9 a.m.
WHERE: Indiana Statehouse, Rm. 431
Pending funding approval by the Indiana General Assembly and the City-County Council, the project will include:
• Expansion of the Indiana Convention Center;
• A new multi-use venue - scheduled to open in the fall of 2008 with a retractable roof;
• A new home for the next four decades for NCAA Basketball's "March Madness;"
• An agreement to keep the National Football League (NFL) and the Colts in Indiana for 30 more years;
• A chance to bid for the NFL's Super Bowl;
• An extension of the annual NFL Scouting Combine, where the nation's top college football stars audition for NFL owners and coaches;
• Playing host to a future meeting of the NFL owners;
• Moving forward with a downtown IndyGo transit center, which will enhance public transportation throughout central Indiana.
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