Charlotte lands 2012 Democratic National Convention

Cabarrus leaders say DNC annoucement good news for Cabarrus

By: Ben McNeely | Independent Tribune
Published: February 01, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --

The Democrats are coming to Charlotte.

The Queen City will host the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.

First Lady Michelle Obama broke the news in an sent to supporters late Tuesday , she said "Charlotte is a city marked by its southern charm, warm hospitality, and an 'up by the bootstraps' mentality that has propelled the city forward as one of the fastest-growing in the South ..."

Charlotte beat out other finalist host cities St. Louis, Mo., Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. and Cleveland, Ohio. It's the first time since 1988 that the Democrats hold their nominating convention for president in the South.

The convention is expected to bring in about 35,000 delegates to Time Warner Cable Arena, journalists and media outlets from around the country and the world and protesters from every political stripe.

The convention is also estimated to pump between $150 million to $200 million into the local and regional economy, and upwards of a $45 million investment to boost public safety and local infrastructure, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

The hospitality industry in Cabarrus County will benefit from the convention coming to Charlotte, especially since two of the largest tourist attractions -- Charlotte Motor Speedway and Concord Mills -- are just north of the Mecklenburg County line.

"Cabarrus County will most certainly experience positive economic impact from the convention," said Donna Carpenter, CEO of the Cabarrus Convetion and Visitors Bureau, in a statement, "either from spillover room nights or convention attendees making Cabarrus County cash registers ring at all of our wonderful restaurants and attractions."

"This is a permanent deal," Mayor Anthony Foxx said at a press conference Tuesday. "This is something that's going to have lasting significance to this city for a long time."

Cabarrus Chamber CEO John Cox said the convention would be a boon for Cabarrus County.

"One recurring thing I've always said, when Charlotte does good, we do just fine."

Foxx and Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers, who led the effort to land the Democratic convention, said his task moving forward is to raise money.

"We'll reach across the country to find people to contribute $5, $10, $100 even $1,000 to this," Rogers said. "I believe we'll find financial support to make this a great success."

Both Foxx and Rogers declined to get into the specifics about hosting the convention.

Planners have said the economic impact of the convention could be as high as $200 million, and 2008 host city Denver estimated that the impact there surpassed $250 million.

However, economic figures for such mega-events are often disputed and difficult to tally. A 2008 study conducted by economics professors at the College of the Holy Cross and Lake Forest College found no statistically significant evidence that political conventions contribute to local economies. The researchers warned people to be skeptical of promises of huge windfalls.

Across the state, the decision was hailed as a win for North Carolina.

"A national political convention is a keystone event that will boost North Carolina's economy, while showcasing Charlotte and our state to the nation and the world," Gov. Bev Perdue said.

State GOP Chairman Robin Hayes of Concord told the AP that he welcomes Democrats to Charlotte for their national convention next year, but he said Democrats will have to answer for what he called "their misguided policies" on spending and government.

Obama edged Republican John McCain in 2008 by about 14,000 votes among more than 4.3 million votes cast to put the state's electoral votes in the Democratic column for the first time since 1976.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact online editor Ben McNeely: 704-789-9131