Phillips testifies in support of state bill to expand Convention Center, create jobs and economic prosperity

March 30, 2011

Summary

HB 1997 would increase visitors to King County by funding for the arts, activities that attract tourism

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips testified before the Washington State Senate today in support of House Bill 1997, saying the legislation will create jobs and help spur Washington’s economy by expanding the Washington State Convention Center and funding other activities that draw more visitors and tourists.

“Sustaining arts and cultural activities and bringing more conventions and visitors to our region is a good investment in our economy and quality of life,” said Phillips, who chairs the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee. “Arts, cultural, and scientific organizations directly create thousands of jobs, and generate millions of dollars in labor income, business sales, and tax revenues to governments.”

HB 1997 would reinvest revenue streams currently dedicated to Safeco Field and Qwest Stadium to support arts and cultural programs, expand the Washington State Convention Center, and fund affordable housing.

Without HB 1997, funding for King County arts program would come to an end in 2012. More than 250 heritage and arts organizations are supported by these funds. Without legislative action in 2011, heritage and arts programs in King County will experience a 90percent reduction in funding.

A recently released study by ArtsFund documented that there were 13.2 million visits in 2009 to arts and cultural venues in the region, more than three and one-half times the total population of the four counties in central Puget Sound. A significant proportion of the patrons to these organizations come from outside the local area. $1.75 billion in business activity was generated due to spending by King County arts, cultural and scientific organizations and spending by their patrons.

In addition to directly employing people, cultural organizations create a ripple of economic activity and additional jobs through their business activities and the economic activities of their patrons. In 2009, activities of central Puget Sound cultural organizations and patrons created over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. These jobs provide almost $800 million in labor income.