Springfield chamber board endorses tax measure for convention center

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has signaled its support for a lodging tax increase that would help pay for a convention and event center in the Queen City.

The chamber board is endorsing a 3% lodging tax increase question on the Nov. 4 ballot, according to a news release. Springfield City Council in July approved the measure for the August ballot, with voters asked to decide whether to increase the lodging tax to 8% from 5%. 

“For every dollar we invest in attracting visitors, the return to local businesses and our economy is multiplied many times over,” said Bob Helm, chamber board chair and partner at Elliott Robinson & Co. LLP, in the release. “The chamber believes this investment will generate long-term benefits for businesses, residents and visitors alike, and approving this ballot measure ensures Springfield is ready to seize this opportunity."

Chamber officials say a successful ballot measure would lead to $4.4 million in additional tourism revenue annually.

The city of Springfield has been looking to leverage local funds to match $30 million included in Gov. Mike Kehoe's budget under restricted funding, meaning it can be released at the governor's discretion.

The Springfield City Council-appointed Citizens’ Advisory Board last month recommended the use of a half-cent portion of a three-quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters last November for the convention center project.

City officials have said the state funding, Citizens’ Advisory Board-recommended financing and the tax measure up for vote in November are all crucial for the convention center project.

"We need all those pieces. You've got to have it all," Deputy City Manager Collin Quigley told the advisory board before its recommendation on July 30. 

The convention and event center is estimated to cost $175 million, according to past reporting, and additionally, a $209 million hotel complex could be built near it.

Along with a hotel complex, the proposed project could drive $1.3 billion in new visitor spending – and $68.7 million in net fiscal impact – over the 30 years following construction, according to past reporting.