The Cooper Creek Event Center will receive an additional 110 parking spaces thanks to a generous grant from Hamilton County.

The 30,000 sq. ft. conference and banquet facility located at the Blue Ash Golf Course became an instant success upon opening in 2012. With nearly 10,000 sq. ft. of rentable space and 350-person seating capacity, the facility is well suited for business meetings, trainings, exhibitions, tradeshows, and receptions. In 2014, 312 events were held at the facility: 200 corporate, 100 wedding/social, and 12 marketing.

Due to the large number of meetings, events and weddings held at the facility, an immediate need for additional parking was quickly recognized. Therefore the City of Blue Ash applied for a $250,000 grant from Hamilton County for a $300,000 parking expansion project.

The Hamilton County Transient Occupancy Tax Capital Project Grant monies are generated by a 3.5% hotel room tax, a fund to which Blue Ash hotels contribute over $1 million per year.  The grant supports projects which service the local meeting and convention industry and which result in strengthening of the local convention and visitor infrastructure, increased room night bookings, and the ability to more effectively promote convention facilities in Hamilton County.

“The City of Blue Ash appreciates the opportunity to partner with Hamilton County on a very successful meeting and convention facility in the County.  The Cooper Creek Event Center expanded parking lot will contribute to additional event bookings, which has a direct impact on area hotels, supporting the tax and other Hamilton County convention facilities” stated Blue Ash Mayor, Lee Czerwonka.  He further commented that “a modest investment in Blue Ash generates substantial returns.”

“Through this grant program, a portion of the revenue from the transient occupancy tax can directly impact the tourism industry in communities across Hamilton County,” said Hamilton County Commission President Greg Hartmann. “Supporting projects such as the expansion of the Cooper Creek Event Center will help continue the increase in visitors to Hamilton County, which provides economic benefit to the entire County.”