The Mobile County Commission approved a measure to help fund the new Mobile arena. The arena project, one of the largest projects in city history, will replace the old civic center.
Commissioners unanimously approved a $7.5 million allocation to fund the project's design, construction and other costs.
District 2 Commissioner Connie Hudson said there had been some question over the length of time that it took the commission to approve funding for the arena. She said the reason for that was that the commission was ensuring fiscal responsibility and added that the county always intended to help in some way.
"I think we all want to see the new civic center arena be successful and live up to expectations," Hudson said. "But at the same time, we have a fiduciary obligation and a responsibility to the county to make sure we don't overextend and over-obligate ourselves that we can't pay for the obligations that we have in place."
The intergovernmental agreement between the County and the City states that the County will fund $500,000 in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Following the initial funds, the County will pay the City $812,500 annually until 2035.
The $300 million arena will hold 10,000 people and is expected to bring large events to Mobile.
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