TOLEDO – The campaign to sell 16 to 25 suites or more in the proposed Lucas County downtown ballpark entered the outreach stage this morning at the first meeting of the Ballpark Founders Committee.

President of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners Sandy Isenberg and chair of the committee, said “Each and every member of this group has had a role in economic success of Lucas County. This is an opportunity for local companies to give back to the community and dramatically transform downtown Toledo.”

According to Tom Chema, of Gateway Consulting, 16 suites are targeted to be in 10 year terms and the proceeds of which are to be used for construction costs.

Members of the Founders Committee, comprised of leaders in the Northwest Ohio business community, spoke of their eagerness to help generate momentum.

Jim Hoffman, President of Key Bank, encouraged the committee to “go out and visit [prospects] tell them the story, spend some time with them.”

Shirley Timonere, Director at WGTE, indicated that a formal endorsement hearing by the Greater Toledo/Lucas County Chamber of Commerce was scheduled.

Jim Poure, a veteran of Glass Bowl suite sale campaigns and President of Holland-based GAC Corporation, explained how “emerging” local companies may want to consider purchasing suites through special programs designed by Toledo area banks.

Co-chairing the committee are Don Kincade, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank and Ed Bergsmark, President of Cavista Corporation and President of the Mud Hens Board. Bergsmark indicated that the Mud Hens are fully supportive of the county’s efforts and wanted to stress a commonly misunderstood point, “All net profits of the Mud Hens are returned to Lucas County.”

Bruce Rumpf, CEO of Rumpf Corporation, suggested that the committee explore different levels of support for the project, including “blocks of season tickets, to help fill the ballpark’s seats over the course of 71 games.” And, Rumpf added, “Every downtown business should make a commitment to this project.”

Working with Chema and Patrick Zohn of Gateway Consulting and the county, the Founders Committee will market suites and address other marketing opportunities, to secure the private funding that Gateway’s plan recommended to the Board of County Commissioners in October.

Isenberg explained, “the committee has to transform the enthusiasm expressed by the corporate community into a real financial commitment to the ballpark.”

The committee conducted a brainstorming session to come up with names of area businesses that may be good prospects. Individual members will be teamed with Chema, Zohn, and Joe Napoli, General Manager of the Toledo Mud Hens in working the prospect lists from now through April 2000.

Earlier this month, County Commissioner Harry Barlos initiated work with his group, the Architect and Engineering (A & E) Committee, to search and select a qualified A & E team. The Finance Committee, led by Commissioner Bill Copeland, met at 12 noon on Tuesday, as well.