Local News

Senate Approves Bill to Allow Allen County Sports, Convention Development

INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): A measured authored by State Senator Tom Wyss to allow sports and convention development in Allen County passed the Indiana Senate today by a unanimous vote.
As amended, Senate Bill 308 would let a Professional Sports and Convention Development Area (PSDA) in the county to be extended, terminating before Jan. 1, 2028, or up to 15 years after debt is issued to finance a facility within the PSDA. It would also provide that the State Budget Agency must approve any final financing for the facility.

The extension would let Allen County continue to develop the Memorial Coliseum, which is currently considering a $12.4 million expansion of its Exposition Center. Wyss said in order for the Coliseum to finance the project with a bond issue, the PSDA expiration date has to be extended.

Wyss said this legislation is essential to bringing more economic development to Fort Wayne and Allen County.

 

“Memorial Coliseum brings more than $100 million to the Fort Wayne area annually,” Wyss said. “Since its foundation in 1952, we have welcomed thousands of notable speakers, artists and sports teams to our community, as well as the tens of thousands of people who visit the Coliseum each year. Senate Bill 308 is the next step to ensuring Fort Wayne upholds its status as a go-to venue for these events.”

 

In December of last year, Pollstar, a leading concert industry publication, ranked the Coliseum on its list of Top 200 Arena Venues for Worldwide Ticket Sales.

SB 308 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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