The Rich Stadium project uses other local taxes. Convention centers in Orlando, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Philadelphia, St. Louis and San Francisco have their debt service paid totally or in pat by dedicated hotel tax revenues. Sales Taxes - Sales taxes provide strong credit structures because they are relatively predictable and tend to track inflation and economic growth. A general sales-tax increase or expansion of the base could provide a strong incremental revenue stream. However, these taxes are often difficult to implement becAuse they primarily tax local residents and require referendum approval.
Sales taxes can generate large amounts of revenue, but also burden the local economy.
Meals Taxes - Meals taxes have been used in several cities, particularly in the Midwest, to support the costs of convention and sport facilities. Like hotel taxes, they are directed toward beneficiaries of the project and to some extent, non-residents. A subset of an overall sales tax, meals taxes can also generate substantial revenue. Development Fees - Fees for the right to develop projects near the new convention center or elsewhere in the downtown area could conceivably be used to assist in funding the facility. These so-called linkage fees have been imposed in other cities where available land adjacent to a convention center is at a premium.