Politics

DNC Could Bring Big Economic Boost To Charlotte

DENVER, Colo.,None — With Charlotte in the running to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Eyewitness News anchor Blair Miller went to Denver, the site of the last DNC, to see what it takes to win the bid. You can see all of his reports here. For extended coverage of Charlotte's DNC bid, click here.

On the streets of Denver and inside many city offices, there are still plenty of reminders of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Richard Scharf is part of the team that put together a 300-page bid book that helped the city land the convention. The book, which weighs more than 15 pounds, contains detailed information about Denver, including a list of every hotel in the area, the exact number of rooms it has and how long it takes to get from it to the convention site.

Denver officials said Charlotte has likely already put together a similar book that isn't public yet.

Scharf said he thinks Denver won the bid not because of its hotels or facilities, but because of the community. He said that's a factor that the DNC selection committee will look closely at while in Charlotte.

"They'll be looking at those intangibles like, ‘Does the city get along? Is everybody speaking in one voice? Do we feel this would be a real, coordinated effort?'" he said.

If the committee decides the answers to those questions are yes and Charlotte wins the bid, it could see a major economic boost.

The seven counties that make up the Denver region saw a direct economic impact of $32 million because of the DNC.

Rich Grant, who is in charge of Marketing Denver, said before the convention, the city wasn't on the radar for many outsiders, but since the convention, it has gotten more worldwide attention. Grant said Charlotte could have the same opportunity.