DNC visit could mean big $ for local businesses

RESTAURANT owners, apple lovers and selfie-stick users can rest easy: The 2016 Democratic National Convention won't have any of the negative restrictions that were associated with the recent papal visit.

That was one of the core messages that Mayor Nutter emphasized at a news conference with DNC officials inside a South Philadelphia printing shop yesterday afternoon.

The other: Local businesses stand to make a lot of money off the convention next July.

As many as 50,000 people are expected to attend the DNC - being held in Philly for the first time since 1948 - bringing an estimated $350 million economic impact to the city, said the Rev. Leah Daughtry, the convention's CEO.

Daughtry said DNC officials would spend up to $50 million on convention-related necessities, including lighting and staging equipment.

An early beneficiary is Jude Arijaje, who owns Minuteman Press, the union printing shop on Broad Street near Moore that hosted the news conference. Arijaje landed a contract to print banners and business cards for the convention.

DNC leaders will hold a webinar Oct. 27 to help educate local businesses on how to bid for contracts, Daughtry said. About 35 percent of the contracts are intended to go to businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and members of the LGBT community. A town-hall discussion for local businesses will take place next month.

For more information, visit www.phldnc.com/philadelphia-2016-vendor-form.

On Twitter: @dgambacorta