Following the reports yesterday that the County administration has decided to charge the American Legion $4,000 for use of the Veterans Memorial Arena for their annual Convention, Chairman Marinich introduced a resolution today directing that County Marketing and Economic Development funds be used to cover the County facility costs for the Convention.

"The County is a proud supporter of many events like the STOP-DWI Basketball Tournament, the Chris Thater Memorial, Dick's Sporting Goods Open and the Spiedie Festival. Using Marketing and Economic Development funds for this event makes perfect sense as nearly 1,500 rooms are booked locally for the Convention," said Chairman Marinich. "This support for our Veterans is the least we can do to thank them for their service and sacrifice."

Convention Chairman Frank Konopka said "Thank you to the Broome County Legislature for their leadership in resolving this situation.  I’m looking forward to supporting Binghamton as a location for future American Legion Conventions.  And we’ll be sure to work with everyone well in advance to make sure we don’t run into these problems again.”

According to the Greater Binghamton Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2,250 room-nights are occupied over the course of the four day convention.  The Convention has a nearly $800,000 economic impact to the area.

The resolution will be considered at tonight's Economic & Rural Development and Planning Committee meeting and tonight's Education, Culture and Recreation Committee meeting.

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