Ocean City Convention Center Cash Cow Pretty Flags.

But you can try.   Just throw money at it, as long as it's somebody else's money.

Try $30 million dollars for starters for the last renovation that isn't even paid off.  And of course, now "they" want to make the building even bigger, costing the taxpayers even more money for an item that will never show a profit.

The Rowland E. Powel Convention Center in Ocean City is operated at a complete loss.

"Just the facts mam, just the facts."

$30 million dollars was acquired to expand the old convention.
        $15 million provided by the State of Maryland under the 1995 Maryland                    Stadium Authority act
         $15 million to be raised by the Town of Ocean City.

Fiscal year Losses  Revenue $1.48 million  Cost to operate $4.29 million.
       Loss to taxpayers of $2.8 million just this year.
   The taxpayers across the state pay for approx $1,04,000 million dollars of that loss.
   The State of Maryland is responsible for covering half of the operating deficit and         HALF of the building costs.
   Ocean City pulled from its general fund $1.1 million to cover losses.

But here is the kicker... in 2015 the state will no longer cover operating losses.  The only way to prevent this is to renew the contract with the State and take on further losses to taxpayers by an expansion of the Convention Center.   

The Convention Center in Ocean City is a beautiful thing, as beautifully as and empty cave.   And to all the  tax paying people of Maryland west of Assawoman Bay.....
         "Suckerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrssss."

Article posted Saturday, November 03, 2004