Saint Paul 2008

Twin Cities officials estimate the 2008 Republican National Convention will generate 100 to 150 million dollars in additional revenue. According to this article, it’s more reasonable to move the decimal point one place to the left, meaning, in reality, something closer to 10 or 15 million dollars. Considering that will be spread between Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington, and, to a lesser extent, many of the suburbs, the benefits of the convention look less and less impressive every day.

Mind you, if St Paul really does get the State of Minnesota to forgive around one-hundred million in outstanding debt, ahead of the conventions, that could turn out to be the single largest benefit to the city. Given the expected disruptions and inconveniences associated with the RNC convention, it might be, arguably, the only benefit.

It would also, interestingly, put the city right at the lower end of their optimistic 100-150 million dollar projections, which almost makes one wonder if this was part of the city’s plan all along.