Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to modify (Modification No. 1) a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., dba Experience Columbus, authorized by Ordinance 1121-2025 and passed May 12, 2025, in an amount up to $200,000.00 for the purpose of providing support to the organization in its efforts to market Columbus for sporting events, conferences, conventions, and planning activities.
Original Contract $500,000.00 Ord. 1121-2025
Modification No. 1 $200,000.00
Total contract amount $700,000.00
Experience Columbus is an organization whose vision is to be the leading force in creating and revealing the best of the Columbus Experience to the world. The mission of Experience Columbus is to sell, market and promote the “Destination Columbus” experience to visitors. Columbus is increasingly seen as a destination city and host candidate for major national conferences and conventions. These events result in tens of thousands of visitors to Columbus and millions of dollars in direct and indirect spending, supporting a significant number of jobs and businesses in Central Ohio. Experience Columbus has been very successful in attracting conferences and conventions to Central Ohio.
This grant modification will provide additional support to Experience Columbus for their work supporting the tourism industry and business environment in Central Ohio.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 006014.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to modify the agreement, in an amount up to $200,000.00, with the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., dba Experience Columbus, for the purpose of providing support to the organization’s efforts to market Columbus; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $200,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives fund; to advance funding per a predetermined schedule. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1121-2025, passed by City Council on May 12, 2025, authorized the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Inc, dba Experience Columbus, in an amount up to $500,000.00 for the purpose of providing support to the organization’s efforts to market Columbus; and
WHEREAS, this legislation will authorize the Director of Development to modify the in an amount up to $200,000.00 to extend additional support to the organization’s efforts to market Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the appropriation and expenditure of up to $200,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives fund will be authorized; and
WHEREAS, funding will be advanced to the agency on a predetermined schedule; and now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development to modify the agreement, in an amount up to $200,000.00, with the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., dba Experience Columbus, for the purpose of providing support to the organization’s efforts to market Columbus, and is authorized to advance funds per a schedule to be included in the agreement.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the sum of $200,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100018 (Neighborhoods Initiatives Subfund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development Division), in object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $200,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100018 (Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund), 44-02 (Economic Development Division), in Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. This modification is made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the City Code Chapter 329 relating to contract modifications.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish such accounting codes as necessary, to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all agreements, contracts, or modifications associated with this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest date permitted by law.