Tax credit could bring sporting events to Jefferson City

In this Sept. 14, 2007 photo, cyclists are a blur as they roll past spectators on Jefferson City's West Main Street in what was the first Tour of Missouri 600 mile race, an event which was staged for three years from 2007 to 2009.
In this Sept. 14, 2007 photo, cyclists are a blur as they roll past spectators on Jefferson City's West Main Street in what was the first Tour of Missouri 600 mile race, an event which was staged for three years from 2007 to 2009.

Jefferson City tourism officials said a bill passed by the Missouri General Assembly could draw more amateur sporting events to town.

The Legislature on Friday passed a bill which modifies the Missouri Amateur Sporting Event Tax Credit. Primarily used to attract NCAA events to Kansas City and St. Louis, the tax credit has an annual cap of $3 million.

The General Assembly modified the tax credit to limit Kansas City and St. Louis to using $2.7 million of the tax credit in order to expand its scope. Non-ticketed events also are now eligible to receive a tax credit of $10 per registrant.

Events eligible for the tax credit must be competitively bid and come from out of state.

Austin Rippeto, Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau sports sales manager, said the changes make it possible for a city the size of Jefferson City to use the tax credit.

"It's something we currently haven't been able to use because of how it was worded," Rippeto said. "It definitely would be something we could use in the future."

The city could use the event to attract large-scale youth sporting events, he said. Rippeto also said the city would love to hold more Division II NCAA events with Lincoln University.