Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Clinton's run creates boom in Little Rock Date: Sun, 15 Nov 92 16:56:27 EST Message-ID: \SE A;MONEY \SS (WS) \HD Clinton's run creates boom in Little Rock \BY Thomas Galvin \CR CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY It remains to be seen whether Bill Clinton can revitalize the U.S. economy, but he's already done wonders for Arkansas. The governor's campaign created a boom for Little Rock hotels, restaurants and tourist sites. Mr. Clinton told his state Cabinet last week that one of his best decisions was to have his campaign headquarters and transition office in Little Rock, because of the economic benefits to the state. His candidacy has already boosted tourism, which is expected to grow 15 percent in 1992, or by about $375 million. Hotels, restaurants and rental-car agencies have enjoyed a bonanza. In downtown Little Rock, for example, 40,000 visitors converged on the state capital on Election Day, according to estimates. All of them needed housing, food and transportation. A smaller but still significant mass of people will descend on Little Rock when the president-elect holds an economic summit with financial experts and the nation's business leaders. And the parade of job-seekers trekking to the state capital will not come to a halt until Mr. Clinton has picked a Cabinet and filled other top federal jobs. The Capital Hotel, next door to Clinton campaign headquarters and just blocks from the transition office, has been one of the prime beneficiaries. Vice President-elect Al Gore stayed there on election night, and the hotel has housed many of the journalists covering the campaign. It has been booked solid for weeks and is likely to stay that way though at least the end of November, according to sales director Carol Crane. The Clinton-related traffic has brought the hotel an extra $12,000 to $15,000 a month in revenue. Likewise, the restaurant Momma Serves Good Food has seen its sales go up by thousands of dollars a week. Just a block from Mr. Clinton's headquarters, the diner quickly became a favorite hangout for the campaign staff. It was so busy election night it was forced to close down early because the food ran out, said Barbara Stockton, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Fleming. Political strategist James Carville was a frequent patron, and Hillary Clinton visited once last year. "We said if Bill wins, we'll put up a sign that says, 'Hillary ate here,' " she said. (Mrs. Stockton concedes they haven't got the sign up yet.) A little bit of Arkansas will also make its way to Washington. One of the owners of Doe's Eat Place, a popular Little Rock eatery, has begun looking for a site for a similar restaurant in Washington. Although much of the extra business will disappear once Mr. Clinton makes the move to Washington, Richard Davies, executive director of the state's Department of Parks and Tourism, is looking for ways to capitalize on the native son's presidency. "Vacationers are now giving us a look," said Mr. Davies. "Clinton has put us on the map, so to speak." * Distributed by Scripps Howard. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM