GREENSBORO, N.C. — The organizers of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships are asking for $40,000 in support from a North Carolina county less than two weeks before the event opens.

The News & Record of Greensboro reported Wednesday that local organizers want emergency medical costs and other county services covered. Local event director Hill Carrow says the city of Greensboro is contributing about $40,000 in police and fire services.

County commissioner chairman Melvin Alston says it's late for local organizers to ask for taxpayer help. County Manager Brenda Jones Fox says an earlier request for a $100,000 county grant was rejected.

Greensboro's city manager estimated the nationally televised event will draw about 100,000 visitors filling about 10,000 hotel rooms over nine days beginning Jan. 22.

by David Nivens High Point Enterprise

GUILFORD COUNTY  — The Guilford County Board of Commissioners tonight will consider a request from local organizers of the 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships for a grant of $40,000 in public services.

Hill Carrow, chairman of the North Carolina 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships team, last notified the Guilford County Board of Commissioners about the request in a letter dated Dec. 15. The event will be held Jan. 22-30 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Old Courthouse in Greensboro.

If commissioners donate to the nationally televised event, the services would go toward the sponsorship goal of $825,000, Carrow said. Carrow wants commissioners to match a Greensboro donation of $40,000 in public services.

"We have a gap of $60,000 that we are working to fill diligently," Carrow wrote, "in the remaining days before the championships."

County EMS often provides services for sports venues in the Coliseum Complex.

"The billable hours to cover costs associated with ambulance and paramedics support will be approximately $26,407.50," EMS Director Alan Perdue estimated in a letter to County Manager Brenda Jones-Fox. "The actual amount billed at the end of the event may vary based on the actual end times of the daily activities."

In 2009, Carrow requested a $100,000 grant to match what Spokane, Wash. area offered for the 2009 event. The Spokane area provided $600,000 in grants with $125,000 to cover tourism promotion, $100,000 from Spokane County and $100,000 from the public facilities district.

Attendance for the event has been estimated at as many as 100,000. California tourism officials have estimated that the 2012 event, scheduled for San Jose, will have an economic impact of as much as $25 million.

dnivens@hpe.com | 888-3626