A Case for Roddy Stinson?
Based on the findings in that study, UTSA officials say the proposed multi-sport complex is estimated to generate an economic impact totaling $193 million during the three-year construction period and the initial five years of operations.
The report was developed as a joint effort between the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and the Tourism Management Program in the College of Business. A study oversight committee of representatives from the hotel and rental car industries and the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau also contributed to the analysis.
Let’s see. The study was completed by the organization that is going to directly benefit from the athletic complex. And the people overseeing the “legitimacy” of the study were from the industries that would indirectly benefit from the athletic complex. Well, I’m reassured, how about you?
You could make the argument that the overseers had a vested interest in seeing that the money goes to an area that is likely to generate the most tourism potential for them. In other words, if they thought the money could generate more tourism by investing in some other project than the athletic complex they would have said so.
Of course, you would, at the very least, have to know what alternatives were considered for comparison purposes. How about something like taking the money and investing it to fund graduate degree fellowships in tourism or maybe even in computer science?
You would also want to know that the members on the oversight committee didn’t have any other relationships with UTSA that might bias their judgment. Where’s Roddy Stinson when you need him?
Why is the “visitor” tax only supposed to be spent on projects that would increase visitors? If the point of the tax is to support the development of the San Antonio economy, wouldn’t it actually make sense to invest the money in something else not tourism related? You know, diversify the economy and all that? Yes, you would want to spend some amount to maintain our current tourist attractions but ultimately, we’re collecting taxes from visitors to spend on projects to attract more visitors? Any local effect is indirect. What’s wrong with investing to develop strengths in other areas?
Technorati Tags: UTSA, athletic complex, Bexar County, venue tax, visitors tax, economic development
Filed under: Economic development, UTSA, athletic complex, bexar county, venue tax, visitors tax
