Feature

Charlotte’s prospects for hosting 2012 Democratic National Convention looking good

Posted on 1 Jul 2010 by Justin Ruckman

photo credit: John Ashley

The Democratic National Committee announced Wednesday that Charlotte is one of four finalists for its 2012 convention, putting the city closer than ever to landing a national political gathering.

“It’s a huge deal,” Mayor Anthony Foxx, a Democrat, said Wednesday night. “The 2012 Democratic National Convention carries a significant and positive economic impact and will also put our city, our region and our state on an international stage.”

Read more at the Charlotte Observer.

The DNC will announce the selected host city for 2012 by the end of this year.

Jeff Taylor at the Meck Deck breaks down Charlotte’s chances compared to the other three host cities: Cleveland, Minneapolis and St. Louis, and makes a pretty convincing argument for Charlotte’s success.

Impact to the region’s economy is projected to be around $150–200 million, though we’ll have to raise $50 million to host. (cue: “In this economy?!”)

Co-charing the host committee with Mayor Anthony Foxx is Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers. This is going to be interesting to watch.