Local governments give Rock the Desert financial assistance
Rock the Desert 2012 continues to announce performers for its Christian music concert, but come spring when the event kicks off they’ll have a little help from local governments.
“We like to support events that bring people into the city,” City of Odessa Assistant City Manager James Zentner
After receiving an application from Rock the Desert, both the Odessa and Midland city governments chose to contribute $50,000 each from the hotel/motel tax, according to City of Midland documents and Zentner.
“It helps our hotel-motel industry,” Zentner said.
The City accepts applications from organizations requesting funding and decides whether to accept the request or not, Zentner said.
It is the first time the City of Odessa has responded to such a request from Rock the Desert, Zentner said
Some find giving city money to a religious organization problematic.
Due to the separation of church and state local governments should not give money to religious organizations, Freedom from Religion co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor said.
Instead churches could raise money for that purpose, Gaylor said.
But while Rock the Desert is a Christian ministry, Zentner said city officials view it as a way of bringing people and revenue into the city.
“It’s a win-win for everyone,” Zentner said.
