Group announces intent to bring Expo Center to Coast

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By Tim Novotny

Story Published: Oct 14, 2008 at 5:35 PM PST

COOS BAY, ORE. - One of the best kept secrets on the South Coast is now out in the open. It's a secret that could have a tremendous, and far-reaching, impact on the coastal economy.

For two years, the Home Builders Association of Southwestern Oregon has been quietly working on what they believe is a multi-million dollar idea for the South Coast.

Now they are going to the Cities of Coos Bay and North Bend to tell them, officially, about their plans for a new Expo Center.

They say it will be a 42,000 square foot exhibition hall, plus office space, kitchen facilities, and the latest in electronic equipment.

The estimated cost of 12-million dollars will be funded with private donations, public and government grants, and appropriations.

But all they have to do is look North, to the much smaller convention center in Seaside, to get a good grasp of the investment and the possible economic impacts of the Expo Center here.

In one month, last June, the Seaside Convention Center hosted conferences that brought five-million dollars into their economy.

The Home Builders Association note theirs would be much larger and would be able to accommodate such wide-ranging events as trade shows, political rally's, rodeos, 5,000-seat concerts, and even tractor pulls, moto-cross and sporting events.

The project already has the support of a number of State and Local Politicians and the Home Builders Association members will be involved throughout...donating time and expertise when possible.

They have three possible sites in mind, but are keeping that part still secret for now. The project is far enough along that they expect to be able to break ground in the Summer of 2010.

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