The city of Columbus and Franklin County will each spend 250 thousand dollars in taxpayer money to promote the NHL All-Star Game in late January. Columbus City Council approved the city's expenditure last night, saying tax revenues from the event will make up for that money. Linda Logan of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission claims the event will generate 22 million dollars in economic activity.
Columbus Blue Jackets vice president Larry Hoepfner says a large slide will be built as part of several planned game-related events.
The city and county already own Nationwide Arena despite a lack of a public vote, and last year spent more than 1 million taxpayer dollars to promote the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Dublin. Council last night also approved a 138 thousand dollar grant to Local Matters, a nonprofit group that helps feed area residents. The city and county are funding a study of area food pantries and better ways to get locally grown and produced food to the needy. Local Matters director Michelle Moskowitz Brown talks about what is called the "Food Action Plan".
Council member Priscilla Tyson says the goal is to cut down on poverty by improving access to quality, affordable food.
The plan is expected to be released in the summer of 2016.
