Interesting take on the looming DNC 2012 convention decision from St. Louis business insiders. First datum, the number is now $50 to $60 million in private money required for the host committee to come up with to pay for the event. That is 10 to 25 percent more than the number kicked around in Charlotte. Can Charlotte hit that — or will public money get thrown in the kitty?
More from Mike DeCola, head of Mississippi Lime Company and chairman of St. Louis’ Regional Business Council
“We are keenly aware of the dollars we need to put up just to get the convention here.”
Individual companies have not been assigned target amounts to raise, DeCola said, though “our members are aware that’s coming.” … DeCola’s comments come as St. Louis officials believe the competition is coming down to them and Charlotte, where the effort is being led by an outspoken utility chief, Duke Energy head Jim Rogers, who has led fundraising efforts and even sought to enlist basketball great Michael Jordan, currently owner of the city’s NBA franchise, to lobby the White House.
DeCola said just because “we don’t have guys that like to beat their chest in the press like that” doesn’t mean St. Louis’ business community is not serious about helping attract the convention, which will bring thousands of visitors, and perhaps more importantly, lasting civic prestige to the winner.
“The business leaders in this community all know what’s involved, and they have all expressed very, very strong support to make this happen,” DeCola said. “We have companies that are much bigger, much more globally well-known than Duke Energy.”
DeCola is talking about Anheuser-Busch here — and to a lesser extent — Monsanto. However the latter is not exactly a Leftie fave — chemical and pesticide companies seldom are. And check this bit of editorial reasoning:
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s corporate community may actually be a liability for its chances — the city is home to financial institutions such as Bank of America, which accepted $40 billion in federal bailout money.
Wrong. This makes Charlotte perfect for the Obama Administration. The president can say he saved Bank of American and indeed — the entire city. And seriously — is that some Jordan envy or what? Besides, do we even know if Jordan decided to help Rogers and Charlotte’s bid?
