United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame Wants Government Money

The museum might be entitled to money.

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado has some money problems that its board thinks can be fixed by getting government money. The museum board members want $3.5 million from the city’s American Rescue Plan allocation. The American Rescue Plan is providing money to local and state governments around the country to help lessen the economic drubbing communities endured from lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame lost revenue because the place was closed during the pandemic. Sports organizations have asked for government relief money.  The museum was the first part of the plan of the Colorado Springs’ City for Champions to open. The museum is one of five venues that make up the City for Champions tourism plan which started in 2013. The Colorado Springs plan was funded with $120.5 million in Colorado state sales tax rebate money and will be spread out over 30 years. Two of the venues have opened.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, federal funding provides $350 billion to help states, counties, cities and tribal governments cover increased expenditures, replenish lost revenue and mitigate economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation can extend to households, small businesses, nonprofits, and industries such as tourism and hospitality. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame does fall into that category. The museum’s board can ask for funding but that does not mean the museum will get it.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191  

FILE – In this Feb. 22, 1980, file photo, the U.S. ice hockey team rushes toward goalie Jim Craig after their 4-3 upset win over the Soviet Union in a medal round match at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. Some of the U.S. players shown are Mark Johnson (10); Eric Strobel (19); William Schneider (25); David Christian (23); Mark Wells (15); Steve Cristoff (11); Bob Suter (20) and Philip Verchota (27). (AP Photo/File)

Jim Williams is the Washington Bureau Chief, Digital Director as well as the Director of Special Projects for Genesis Communications. He is starting his third year as part of the team. This is Williams 40th year in the media business, and in that time he has served in a number of capacities. He is a seven time Emmy Award winning television producer, director, writer and executive. He has developed four regional sports networks, directed over 2,000 live sporting events including basketball, football, baseball hockey, soccer and even polo to name a few sports. Major events include three Olympic Games, two World Cups, two World Series, six NBA Playoffs, four Stanley Cup Playoffs, four NCAA Men’s National Basketball Championship Tournaments (March Madness), two Super Bowl and over a dozen college bowl games. On the entertainment side Williams was involved s and directed over 500 concerts for Showtime, Pay Per View and MTV Networks.