President Obama and the Republican and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill ought to hop on a plane and come to Duluth to take a look at a real bipartisan stimulus package.
I'm talking about the Duluth Heritage Sports Center.
The effort by the greater Duluth community is bipartisan because it has enjoyed the enthusiastic cooperation of the state of Minnesota, the city of Duluth, the Duluth School District, the business community, the labor community, nonprofit organizations, service clubs, foundations and, to a great degree, individual donors and volunteers. In most communities these groups would be uneasy bedfellows at best.
But, thankfully, here they "get it." They know the project is more than much-needed recreational facilities. It is a stimulus package.
The center not only stimulates the hospitality industry to an estimated additional $20 million per year, it creates the impetus to develop businesses adjacent to the center that will create construction jobs and ongoing employment and that will expand the city's tax base.
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More importantly, the center stimulates children to grow and learn through the many activities offered on site and through the great work of the Boys and Girls Club located in the center.
Anyone would be proud of the facilities and could gain hope for the future, realizing it's really about what goes on inside the buildings that creates better people, parents, workers, innovators and citizens for our world. This is sound investing and that's a stimulus package. And that is precisely what all of the aforementioned entities understood -- and what they enthusiastically bought into, in a bipartisan way.
Thanks to everyone who helped move kids and our community forward.
We saw a rusted, abandoned industrial site and we created a vibrant, living, breathing center of hope. Instead of cursing the darkness, our friends and neighbors chose to strike a match. Generous people emerged from among us and proved that gratitude and giving back are part of our collective strength. To all givers, big and small, thank you.
The finish line is near. We need to raise $1.5 million by April 1. Yes, that's this year. If we do, the Kresge Foundation will give us $500,000. With that, the Heritage Center will be able to pay its expenses and service its remaining debt from operating revenue. Will we meet the Kresge challenge? Absolutely! I'm sure there are more souls out there who will come to understand the goodness in this project and step up to help.
One thing is for sure, we won't be going to Washington on a corporate jet with our hands out.
Of course, we are challenged. We've been challenged all along, but isn't that stimulating?
Pat Francisco of Duluth is chairman of the fundraising committee for the Duluth Heritage Sports Center.
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