The $300 million American 1 Credit Union in Jackson, Mich., paid $4 million forthe naming rights of a planned convention center.

During an unveiling ceremony last Friday at the Jackson CountyFairgrounds, the site of the future American 1 Convention Center,credit union leaders presented a $4 million check to countyofficials. The funds will contribute to the center’s construction,which was estimated at $6 million, according to a according to alocal media report.

The convention center, which will compliment the existingAmerican 1 Event Center, is part of a larger use plan for thefairgrounds site created by Jackson County officials. Constructionon the American 1 Convention Center will begin in 2017. The newbuilding will be overlook the Grand River, according to an American1 CU statement.

“We chose the future location of the American 1 ConventionCenter in an effort to help renew the former glory of the GrandRiver,” American 1 CU Board Chair Philip E. Hoffman said in a preparedstatement. “With the river running along the eastern border of thefairgrounds, it was the obvious choice for a beautiful newconvention center building.”

The new building will feature a large expo space that can besectioned off for smaller events. Additional rooms will be ableaccommodate conferences with multiple sessions. The facility willalso include a full kitchen for catering services.

“We look for innovative ways we can thank our community bygiving back to them,” Hoffman said. “We feel that this newconvention center provides the perfect venue for celebration –celebrating life events, local commerce, and most of all, ouraccomplishments as a community.”