2016 Republican National Convention is major boost for Cleveland

Cleveland is once again a major player on the national scene.

The

Republican National Committee’s decision to hold its 2016 convention here

over Dallas proves that Cleveland can finally shake the negative moniker, ‘mistake by the lake.’

The RNC’s announcement July 8 means that as Cleveland benefits financially, so will its suburbs and surrounding areas, such as Lorain, Lake and Medina counties.

Some reports say that Cleveland will host up to 50,000 Republican visitors. A study showed that the GOP’s 2012 convention in Tampa, Florida, pumped more than $200 million into the economy there. Economists contend Cleveland will benefit just as Florida did.

Congratulations to the Cleveland business, community and political leaders who knew what they needed to do to attract the convention. After losing the GOP’s bid in 2008, Cleveland added more hotel rooms and a new convention center. Some of those rooms are in neighboring counties. Northeast Ohio is now one of the first places large groups and organizations will look to hold conventions.

This assemblage of leaders working together also proved that people can cross party lines to get things done. It was both Democrats and Republicans who showcased Cleveland to the RNC about the benefits of having their convention here.

State Sen. Gayle Manning, a North Ridgeville Republican, said the convention would benefit Northeast Ohio.

‘I think that’s great, finally people are realizing what Cleveland has to offer. People are realizing that Cleveland is coming back; it’s good for the economy and it gives us a chance to show off,’ she said.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, said it’s another step forward in Cleveland’s renaissance.

Said Brown: ‘This isn’t about being a Democrat or Republican. This is about bringing jobs to Northeast Ohio and ensuring that our region’s economy continues to grow with the focus of the country, and even world, on Ohio once again.’

We couldn’t agree more with the elected officials.

The economies in surrounding counties will benefit from the convention attendees spending money at hotels, stores, restaurants, museums and theaters. Hopefully, they’ll also take a tour to Lakeview Park in Lorain, which has one of the finest beaches on Lake Erie.

On Cleveland’s east side, Lake County political leaders responded enthusiastically to news of Cleveland winning the convention.

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy, a Willowick Democrat, said the selection would be good for Northeast Ohio and the county.

‘We’re certainly hopeful the economic activity that will result from the Republican National Convention in 2016 being in Northeast Ohio will benefit hotels, motels and restaurants in Lake County,’ Troy said.

In addition to patronizing Lake County businesses, wouldn’t it be fitting for delegates to a presidential convention to visit the home of a former president – The James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor?

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. David Joyce, a Russell Township Republican, applauded the bipartisan effort that went into attracting the convention.

‘City leaders from both parties worked tirelessly on this bid, and I was honored to support their efforts,’ Joyce said.

We hope that all Northeast Ohio residents will welcome the Republican National Convention when it comes to Cleveland. The event offers a tremendous opportunity to bolster the area’s economy and raise Cleveland’s profile in the eyes of people who could be future visitors, residents or business owners.

We also hope that our local political and business leaders learn from the collaboration of people with different beliefs and ideologies that they can come together to work on solving problems to benefit our communities.