Columbus plans to join Franklin County and give $250,000 to promote the NHL All Star game. Columbus' money is coming from income taxes in its general fund. The county is using sales tax money set aside for economic development. The Columbus City Council is expected to approve the payment at its meeting today at 5 p.m. at City Hall. County commissioners approved $250,000 to promote the event last week. The All Star Game is Jan. 25 at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus plans to match Franklin County�s pledge of $250,000 to promote this season�s NHL All-Star Game.

The Columbus City Council unanimously approved the payment at its meeting yesterday in City Hall.

The All-Star Game will be held Jan. 25 in Nationwide Arena, and several events will celebrate the game, beginning on Jan. 22.

City and county officials say the payoff that they get from the increased lodging, restaurant and retail tax revenue far outweighs the $500,000 they�ve pledged to promote the event. Estimates are that the event will generate $12 million in revenue and $50 million worth of media exposure for central Ohio.

County commissioners approved $250,000 last week to promote the event.

Columbus� money will come from taxpayer dollars in the general fund. The county will use sales-tax money set aside for economic development.

Larry Hoepfner, vice president of business operations for the Columbus Blue Jackets, said last night that the money will be used to promote the event and entertain visitors during that week.

He said an outdoor ice rink that sometimes will be open to the public will be constructed and open for 11 days.

A 300-foot �ice/snow� slide also will be built and open for four days near the arena, along Nationwide Boulevard.

Councilwoman Michelle M. Mills said the money will help make the event a success.

�This is an opportunity to bring folks into the sport and build a better fan base for the Blue Jackets, which they deserve for representing our great city,� she said.

The city and county have spent money on big-time sporting events in the past. They gave a total of more than $1 million to promote and plan for the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Dublin last year.

At the time, Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown and Delaware County Commissioner Dennis Stapleton questioned the expenditures, saying they were unnecessary. Brown backed off when she learned that the PGA Tour was donating $250,000 to local charities.

Stapleton said then that the contribution to the golf event �was forced down our throats and is more about egos and saving face with the folks of Dublin than economic development.�

None of the council members or county commissioners has spoken out in opposition to the contributions to the NHL All-Star Game.

Also last night, council members approved giving $138,000 to Local Matters, a nonprofit group that helps feed area residents.

The money will be used to help Local Matters study area food pantries and ways that locally grown and produced food can better be used to feed those in need.

The goal is to help children who go hungry by offering more-healthful food choices.

Councilwoman Priscilla R. Tyson said Local Matters� mission also is to reduce food waste and help local organizations provide food to those in need through better collaboration in the use of their resources.

The group is to present its study to the city and county in summer 2016.

lsullivan@dispatch.com

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