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Sacramento Business And Labor Leaders Urge Council To Vote Yes On Arena Plan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Sacramento Area business groups are getting behind the effort to build a new entertainment and sports complex.

A coalition of local business and labor leaders urged the Sacramento City Council to vote yes on Tuesday night to move forward with a new arena plan that would keep the Sacramento Kings in town.

The coalition of people from the Sacramento Metro Chamber, Downtown Sacramento Partnership, Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, Region Builders, Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber, MetroEDGE, North State Building Industry Association, Sac-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council, and Sacramento Police Officers Association issued the following joint statement today:

"Tuesday could be a turning point for our region if Sacramento City Council votes yes to lead Sacramento forward and allow the entertainment and sports complex process to continue.

Sacramento has suffered from the recession. Our unemployment rate remains higher than the national average. Local government is struggling to maintain services levels for police, fire, education, and other programs as general fund revenues continue to decline.

The entertainment and sports complex is one of the most significant projects in our region in decades. It presents the opportunity to breathe life into our stagnant economy by creating jobs and an opportunity to generate new revenue sources. It would also help jumpstart development of the 240-acre railyard, the largest infill development site in the country. With redevelopment dollars no longer available, there will be few catalysts for investment in our region on this scale. A new economic driver would generate much needed revenue for the general fund to invest back into the community, which means more funding for police, fire, education and other services.

With a yes vote, council members will position the city to continue exploring our options. A yes vote is simply a step forward in the process, not the final say. It allows the City to continue due diligence, conduct community outreach, and bring a complete proposal to a vote in June.

If we are serious about turning around the economy, we cannot close the door to opportunity. With so many questions still to be answered and so much potential for gain, this project deserves sufficient time for public review and debate. We are looking to our elected officials to lead us forward and to do what is right for our community's future by saying yes. As this process moves forward, the city should leverage the expertise of the local business and labor leaders to create the best possible deal for our community."

The Downtown Sacramento Partnership has also put up a website allowing Sacramento residents to sign a virtual petition to their city council member urging them to vote yes on the entertainment and sports complex. You can sign the petition by visiting their website at downtownsac.org .

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