Cleveland City Council voted Monday to re-expand investment in two organizations that bring movies and sporting events to the city.
The City Council approved grants totaling $500,000 to the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. Both organizations say they generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity in the city.
“This choice provides a very high return on investment,” said Dan Gilbert, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “For every dollar you invest in a city, you get back far more than you spend on roads and safety.”
As a direct result of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Cleveland will host major events in 2024, including the NCAA Women’s Final Four Championships and the Pan American Games, Gilbert said. These events will generate economic activity of $22 million and $25 million, respectively, he said.
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission also promotes hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact by working with Los Angeles studios to bring films to Cleveland, building local production offices, and scouting locations. ing.
Chief Operating Officer Seema Jayaswal cited the 2022 Noah Baumbach film “White Noise,” which was shot in Cleveland. He said the film generated $100 million in local economic activity in 10 months.
“They ate at our restaurant and spent $36,000. [hotel] Jayaswal said, “A night spent in a room. That’s what a movie can do.”
Each organization receives $250,000 from the city each year. At Monday’s council meeting, some council members suggested the group push for more going forward, citing its proven track record.
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is the “unsung hero of this city,” said City Councilman Brian Kazee. “They’re by far the city’s biggest economic driver. And I think it’s insulting to them that the city is just giving them $250,000.”
This further builds on Cleveland leadership’s continued efforts to attract more tourists to the region. Earlier this month, the Cleveland City Council approved a $2 million major events fund focused on bringing more national sporting and arts events and conferences to the city.