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Ohio Pro Teams Working Together In Push For More State Sports Grants

Representatives of several Ohio sports teams yesterday "threw their support behind a bill that would remove limitations" on Ohio's Major Sporting Event Grant Program, which is "used to help local governments and nonprofit commissions attract major sporting events that are projected to generate at least a $250,000 increase in state sales-tax revenue," according to Jim Siegel of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. Reps from the Blue Jackets, Browns, Cavaliers, Indians, Reds, Triple-A Int'l League Columbus Clippers, USL club FC Cincinnati and MLL Ohio Machine testified, while the Crew "did not." Grants are awarded for up to 50% of the "projected sales-tax increase, and they are limited to $500,000 per event" and a total of $1M in a year. However, team officials said that those limits are a "problem." Blue Jackets President Mike Priest said that the city "faced a 'considerable challenge' in raising the money needed" to host the '15 NHL All-Star Game because, at the time, no money was "available in the grant program." Siegel notes in order to "continue attracting such events and compete with other states, Ohio needs a long-term funding mechanism." Melissa Wideman, representing Reds President & CEO Bob Castellini, also said that the grant program "did not have funds" in '14 when the city was "working to host" the MLB All-Star Game in '15. She said that the state "did provide funding" late in '14 to help, but long-term funding as proposed in the bill would "provide the predictability demanded" by MLB. Siegel notes under House Bill 531, the "per-event and annual limits on grants would be eliminated." Supporters said that the proposal would put Ohio "on par with 34 other states that also offer incentives to attract major sporting events" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 3/21).

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