Economic Development initiative to promote city’s extensive Arts + Cultural offerings to national and international media
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The City of Saratoga Springs plans to support the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) with a $14,000 economic development award as a first step in the City’s plan to promote Saratoga Springs as a worldwide destination for arts and culture. Additionally, as a second step, Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan plans to bring forward future funding recommendations for economic development project assignments to spur economic growth and development through a variety of methods, one of which will be the cultivation of the city as a thriving arts community.
Madigan stated “I am working with Mayor Kelly and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on this project, and funding will be used to promote the City of Saratoga Springs as a cultural destination to travel outlets like Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Travel, to Arts & Culture outlets like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BBC America, as well as collaborating with the City to identify key periods to showcase Saratoga’s cultural offerings to national and international journalists.
The financial transfer itself will be made to the Mayor’s Department under a line item for Economic Development. “I commend Mayor Kelly for her championing of the arts, and I have personally enjoyed working with her to move this forward as an agenda item on behalf of the City of Saratoga Springs. Additionally, l look forward to working with the entire City Council in promoting the City’s world-class venues, events, and artists. Studies show that cultural tourists spend 60% more than leisure tourists” said Commissioner Madigan.
The term for this project is through December 31, 2018. At the end of the term, SPAC will follow-up with the City with variable measurements regarding this initiative to see how our investment with SPAC has benefited the City in terms to be set forth with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
