Unified Government to donate $65,000 for 2016 RNC Campaign

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County has 65,000 more reasons to want the 2016 Republican National Convention to be held in the Kansas City metro area.

Today the UG donated $65,000 to Kansas City's campaign to win the party's selection for the convention in 2016. 

“We’re here today in Kansas City, Kan. to solidify our bi-state, bipartisan effort to attract the RNC to Kansas City in 2016” said Mark Holland, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan., Mayor/CEO. “Kansas City has set a precedent hosting world-class events like the MLB and MLS All-Star Games, and we have no doubt that the 2016 GOP Convention in KC will be an unrivaled success.”

Along with Wyandotte County's donation, $65,000 donations were also made by the City of Kansas City, Mo., Jackson County and Johnson County, Kan.

"This joint announcement shows the level of commitment from all corners of our region," Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James said.  "Though our cities and counties are divided by state and county lines, we are unified in our common purpose: We will bring the Republican National Convention to the Kansas City region in 2016.”

The $260,000 will be used to help a local task force coordinate efforts to land the convention.

The Republican National Committee is expected to visit Kansas City later this month. 

Holland, James visit Boston in effort to bring GOP convention to KC

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- A few weeks after the Unified Government Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the 2016 Republican National Convention coming to Kansas City, local officials are in Boston attempting to lure the convention to the metro. 

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland and Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James are visiting the northeast this week. 

Kansas City, according to multiple reports, is considered a strong contender to host the 2016 GOP convention. 

Kansas City hosted the 1976 GOP convention, when incumbent president Gerald Ford edged out conservative challenger Ronald Reagan for the Republican Party's nomination. 

According to early economic forecasts, a convention could bring 50,000 visitors to the metro area and an economic impact of $250 million.

UG Commissioners approve resolution for Republican National Convention

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- For one night, the Republican Party received strong support from the elected officials of the most Democratic county in the State of Kansas.

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution that endorses bringing the 2016 Republican National Convention to the Kansas City metro area.

Kansas City has been one of the potential landing spots for the convention.

On Thursday, the Unified Government joined the governments from Kansas City, Mo., and cities from Johnson County on officially "endorsing" the idea.

If Kansas City lands the convention, it's expected that over 40,000 people would travel to the area for the purposes of attending the convention.

The 2012 Republican National Convention held in Tampa, Fla., generated between $175-200 million in economic impact to the city.