CIB considering layoffs at conv. center

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Layoffs may soon be on the way for workers at the Indiana Convention Center. It's just part of the ongoing money woes for the Capital Improvement Board.

Hikes in hospitality taxes helped pay for the convention expansion under way right now but there is no money to market the added space. That caused spokesman Phil Ray of the hotel association to express disappointment in the Capital Improvement Board even though he wasn't on the agenda at Monday afternoon's meeting.

Neither was convention center employee Kim Nicely, who asked, "Where's the board at with laying off or furloughing employees of the convention center?"

His question failed to force the board to take a position, but after the meeting President Bob Grand confirmed that layoffs between now and the end of the year are a possibility.

"We have under consideration continued furloughs and continued layoffs because that's the only thing we can do is to cut our budgets," said Grand.

Convention Center employees already endured one round of furloughs and the potential for more. Nicely said it makes it difficult to give the sort of hospitality expected.

"I think that is what the board is losing sight of, that it is about the facility user who comes to this city, spends tax dollars and we need to capture more of those tax dollars to operate the facility," he said.

But, if anything, money woes for the CIB may be growing.

The board was told Monday that talks are under way with the Indiana Pacers regarding the lease on Conseco Fieldhouse that requires the Pacers to pay $15 million in operating expenses.

It's a bill that could someday come to the Capital Improvement Board.

On the other hand, some things are improving for the CIB.

At Monday afternoon's meeting, members heard that New York banks are reworking the terms on some of its debt and a loan from the state is on the way. But, the bottom line is that the crisis is not yet over.