This year's Riverfront Classic will feature a football game between Florida A&M University and Morgan State. But Hamilton County commissioners say they need the classic — which includes multi-ethnic activities and educational events leading up to the game — to produce a “win” for the community.

        On Wednesday, commissioners pledged a $100,000 grant for the classic to get that win.

        The money will be used in a nationwide public relations campaign that says the city is working hard to improve race relations.

        Retired federal judge Nathaniel Jones said the money is needed, particularly since last year's game between historically black colleges was canceled after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Mr. Jones said the national image of Cincinnati is distorted and a successful classic will help restore a truer image of the city, as more than 16,000 people from outside the region will come to the Tristate for the game and other Riverfront Classic events.

        “This is an opportunity to endorse something and bring to this community a large number of people who have been targeted for negative information” about the city, Mr. Jones said. “The benefits to the community are beyond calculation. It is a modest investment considering the cost we have been incurring as a community.”

        Commissioner Tom Neyer asked Mr. Jones at a meeting Wednesday if the boycott of the city, which just this week claimed another victory when the National Urban League decided not to hold its convention in Cincinnati, would have an effect on the classic. The judge replied that between the universities' fan base and the local participation of the Youth Collaborative at the halftime show, the event will attract large numbers of people.

        “There is a built-in guarantee of participation,” Mr. Jones said. “When put on a scale, the (grant) against the goodwill of a multi-cultural, multi-racial demonstration that will shed positive light on the city, it's a bargain.”

        Commissioner John Dowlin voted against the grant, saying next year's county budget will be so tight that commissioners will need to save all of the money they have to balance the books.

        “We shouldn't be giving taxpayer money away,” he said.

        Mr. Neyer said the grant is an important investment to make: “This community needs some wins. If we're going to spend $100,000 on this, I want you to spend it really, really well.”

        Commissioner Todd Portune agreed, saying the classic is more than a football game. And the success of the event is more important to the community than ever before.

        “If the classic were not to happen, or if it were to fail, that would not help us get to where we want to go,” Mr. Portune said.

        John Pace, president of the Riverfront Classic Corp., said the county's support is a milestone for his organization. The grant marks the first time that the county has given cash to the event.

        The city of Cincinnati also has pledged $95,000.

        “Each year we make progress,” Mr. Pace said. “This is a major achievement at a time when it is critically needed.”

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