Johnson: Kings Staying Helps Carmichael

A new that will will benefit the economy of the greater region, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson told Carmichael business owners and community leaders on Tuesday.

"We're all in this together," said during a luncheon at . "People think Carmichael shouldn't be included in the conversation but this spurs a regional economy."

was instrumental in efforts with the National Basketball Association and the Maloof family that owns the team and got Sacramento City Council support for the new $400 downtown arena with a goal of opening in 2015. The arena will replace the outdated Power Balance Pavilion in Natomas.

Johnson said Tuesday the grassroots efforts from , including "" Weiglein, a Sacramento-area sports radio personality and graduate. as vital to the efforts to keep the from moving out of town.

"Two-thirds of the and vendors the project will create will be from outside of Sacramento," Johnson said. "It benefits all of the region to have a strong downtown core."

Carmichael business owners applauded Johnson following his remarks.

"He's done a wonderful job and we have wanted this (arena plan) for a long time," said Nancy Emerson Davis, a co-owner of the planned Milagro Investments project to redevelop a strip mall on Fair Oaks Boulevard now home to , among other businesses. "If we're able to carry it off, it will spur growth in other areas, including Carmichael."

In other chamber news, new members include Quality Tune Up and National University.

Upcoming events include a mixer on April 11 at the and a raffle benefitting the chamber through May 1 with a prize of $2,500 and a basketball autographed by Johnson. Contact the chamber for more information.

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