Minn. Chamber of Commerce voices support for stadium

Stadium concept
The Minnesota Vikings released this concept of a new stadium in downtown Minneapolis, April, 2, 2012. This concept depicts a night scene incorporating the downtown skyline and events surrounding Vikings game days.
Courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is adding its voice to the efforts to win support for a new Vikings stadium in Minneapolis, pushing harder for a resolution of the debate at the Capitol.

Business can support the plan because it doesn't raise taxes and construction and the Vikings help generate commerce in Minnesota, said Chamber President David Olson. He said the Chamber is talking to Senate legislators, where the bill has been stalled for weeks. He said the business community is engaging lawmakers, particularly in the Senate, where the bill has been stalled for weeks.

"We're finding out what some of their concerns are with the package. Some of them have concerns. We're obviously trying to address those concerns. Because we've got a pretty good package here," Olson said. "A lot of people have put a lot of work into it, and I'm not sure people want to come back and do it again next year."

Graph: Breaking down the stadium cost

The plan got a pass on a key deadline in the House Thursday morning, and will be considered in further committee hearings in the House when the Legislature returns from a week-long break. The Vikings are proposing a $975 million dollar stadium in Minneapolis, with $400 million in state funding and $150 million in city funding.

"A pro football franchise is important to the overall quality of life, fabric of Minnesota. I think everybody seems to acknowledge that if a pro football team left, that chances are pretty good two or three years down the road, we'd build a new team a castle, and spend millions of dollars trying to attract a team here," Olson said. "We have a team here, so if we can find a package to keep them here, that's a good thing."

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