Fort Smith Board extends convention center lease

The Fort Smith Convention Center will continue to operate under the Advertising and Promotion Commission under a new lease agreement.

Tuesday afternoon city leaders approved a three month lease extension for the A&P Commission to continue operating the building.

"This is plan b to the option of using the prepared food tax to fund the Fort Smith Convention Center,” says City Administrator Ray Gosack.

The tax was voted down November 8. Now, the Fort Smith Board of Directors brainstorm new ways to support the convention center. It’s an issue that’s been voted on, overturned, and discussed over the past year.

Currently operation costs will come out of the general fund revenue from the city. The city recently made tough budget cuts to fund operation costs.

Gosack says the A&P will help attract more events to Fort Smith.

"They’re out there marketing Fort Smith to convention organizers who are working to bring events to Fort Smith as well as other entertainment organizers and other event organizers," says Gosack.

The main goal for the A&P Commission is to bring outside money into Fort Smith to stimulate the economy. Claude Legris with the A&P says one of the best ways to do that is to host more events at the Fort Smith Convention Center.

"The city is benefiting by the tax money that’s being generated both to the state and to the city from those expenditures throughout the town," says Legris.

That’s why the city says the convention center doors must stay open. Early next year, board members will discuss a long-term lease agreement for the A&P Commission to continue operating the convention center.

Link here to the KFSM 5 news video on the story.