Fishkind Commentaries: County Convention Center Must Be Priority
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
By: Tom Parkinson

May 01, 2012 | WMFE - The controversy over funding for the Orlando and Orange County venues is in the news again this week. In 2007, the county and city agreed to fund three venues: a new basketball arena, a new performing arts center and renovations to the Citrus Bowl. The funding for all three projects was to come from the Tourist Development Tax. That revenue is generated by the county's tourist and lodging businesses.

Now, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs says the County Convention Center needs renovation and that project will have to be prioritized above the improvements to the aging Citrus Bowl. Economic analyst Hank Fishkind says a study recently conducted by his firm shows the Convention Center generates a $2 billion dollar annual impact for the region.  90.7’s Tom Parkinson asked Dr. Fishkind to discuss the importance of the facility.