NRA paid 5K to rent KBH convention center

[Sawbonz 27441]

I don’t think this is particularly CR material, but given the example is from the NRA, I put it here. Basically, Dallas has a not for profit organization paid for from the hospitality tax that will cover your organizations rental costs less a $5000 “contract fee” if you can bring enough hotel and restaurant traffic to the city with your event. When I first heard the story on NPR, it sounded pretty shady, but after thinking about it, it seems like a net positive for the local economy. Apparently, it’s fairly standard operating procedure , and wasn’t done as a special favor to the NRA, although I do think there should be some discretionary use of these funds to align best interest of the city with the types of organizations that are offered these deals

 

https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-06-05/national-rifle-association-deal-dallas-convention-center-deal-5k-for-rent-discount-subsidy-932k-nra

[TwiceHorn 31295]

Yeah I heard that too and thought it was shady, but apparently not.  Thanks for the clarification.

Also, Dallas got itself into a bit of a pickle on "content discrimination" a few years back with one of those sex conventions that they tried to deny rental to.  I think they may be wary of trying discriminate among convention renters, even if the NRA fits with Dallas pretty well, or the exburbs at least.

Edited June 7 by TwiceHorn

[Nice Guy Eddie 13414]

The shady parts can be how they estimate the benefit to the city. It's in the best interest of the decision-makers to claim as much benefit as possible. And this isn't specifically in relation to Dallas but what I've seen with many cities.