May 22--COLUMBUS -- Deb Loseke will continue in her role as director of the Columbus/Platte County Convention and Visitors Bureau despite having a financial interest in a local hotel.

Loseke said Tuesday her position as a partial owner of the New World Inn and Conference Center won't impact the job she does to promote tourism in the county and attract events and guests to area hotels.

"I will still represent all the hotels as I did before," she said.

Loseke and her husband Tom are part of a group of local investors that purchased the hotel, restaurant and conference center at 265 33rd Ave. for $295,000 in March. The group, known as NBC Capital LLC, includes 10 different individuals or couples, with Scott and Patricia Mueller owning 52.5 percent of the Columbus business.

The remaining investors own between 2.5 and 10 percent of the hotel each, with the Losekes having a 6.25 percent stake.

Loseke said her husband will be more involved with the operations of the New World Inn, and she doesn't intend to play favorites when suggesting or determining the best location for an event.

The 40-year-old New World Inn has historically been the location of choice for large events because of its capacity, she said, while other local hotels, such as the Holiday Inn Express, can accommodate smaller crowds.

The president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the convention and visitors bureau, also believes Loseke's interest in the New World Inn won't be an issue.

K.C. Belitz said the matter has been discussed with Loseke and a member of the Platte County Board of Supervisors, and they're comfortable with the situation.

Because the New World Inn can host large conventions and meetings, Belitz said other Columbus hotels and businesses benefit from the out-of-town visitors it attracts.

"It's a unique property for our community," he said.

The Columbus/Platte County Convention and Visitors Bureau is supported by a 2 percent lodging tax added to rates at county hotels. Revenue from the tax, which generated $110,539 last year, is controlled by the county board of supervisors.

Chairman Jerry Micek said the supervisors still will determine how this money is spent, so he has no concerns with Loseke's financial interest in the New World Inn.

"I don't see any conflict of interest there at all," he said.

Columbus City Councilman Rich Jablonski and his wife Donette have a 5 percent stake in the New World Inn.

He has abstained from discussions and decisions on the property's redevelopment plan and a "blighted and substandard" designation that allows tax increment financing to be used on the renovation project.

A redevelopment plan submitted by NBC Capital calls for $3 million in renovations to the 100,000-square-foot, 137-room hotel before it takes on the Ramada name.

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