Good for Downtown, and Who Else?

Will a new arena in Louisville help or hurt existing venues?

Last September, the Louisville Arena Task Force submitted its final report recommending an arena be built – after much debate – in downtown Louisville.

But there are many people who don’t really care where the new arena goes – just as long as it’s built. All arguments aside, plenty of folks stand to profit from the increased tourism the arena will bring, particularly Louisville’s downtown convention-centered businesses.

Louisville boasts two main convention centers, the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC) located downtown, and the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (KFEC) located near the Louisville International Airport. Both facilities are managed by the Kentucky State Fair Board, an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet. The arena task force recommends the fair board also manage the new arena.

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