By Alabama Public Radio
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden officials and the Etowah County Civic Center Authority will meet Wednesday to discuss plans for a convention center. Authority chair Jim Turnbach says the authority needs some assurance that funding will be provided before expenses are incurred. The city has pledged up to $12 million toward the project but has said it will not fund operation and maintenance of the center. That funding will come from a $1.50/night room tax recently approved by the state Legislature and from funding that currently goes to the Gadsden-Etowah Tourism Board. Most of the members of the City Council and Mayor Steve Means have signed a letter saying the city will fund the project, but the council has not done anything officially in that regard.