A massive $10.1 million deal is shaking up the Cincinnati skyline! The city's iconic convention center, freshly renovated and ready to dazzle, has been officially christened the First Financial Center. But here's the catch: this isn't just a name change; it's a 15-year commitment with a hefty price tag.
The agreement between Cincinnati and First Financial Bank reveals a substantial investment by the bank. Over the next decade and a half, they'll pay the city $10.1 million for the prestigious naming rights. This arrangement, orchestrated by Cincinnati city manager Sheryl Long, is set to conclude on December 21, 2040.
And this is where it gets interesting: the funds from this deal will fuel the development of the Marriott Convention Center Headquarters Hotel. It's a significant shift from the previous naming rights holder, Duke Energy, which relinquished the rights after the center's recent multi-million-dollar makeover. The convention center, once known simply as the Cincinnati Convention Center, now bears the name of its new financial partner.
First Financial Bank, with roots in Hamilton, Ohio, has relocated its base to Cincinnati. The bank's new association with the city was celebrated with the return of RedsFest, a major event that took place inside the renovated convention center late last month, marking a new era for both the bank and the city's event scene.