Minuteman Press Franchise Is Official Printer of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

The committee in charge of planning the Democratic National Convention officially set up shop in Philadelphia on Thursday.

The 2016 convention is nine months from now and officials are already working to prepare the city and small businesses.

The event is expected to bring 50,000 people to the city, among them delegates, media and big spending lobbyists.

Major portions of the convention's nighttime events will be held in South Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center. But during daylight and late night hours, folks are known to spread a lot of money around.

More than $300 million is anticipated to be flushed into the local economy. The Democratic Party is committed to heavily contracting with local businesses vendors, with 35 percent minority participation.

Rev. Leah Daughtry, CEO of the 2016 Democratic Convention, says, "Small businesses, large businesses, we want everyone to have a shot at the pie."

Mayor Michael Nutter adds, "The convention's diversity targets are unprecedented, and I am confident that our respective teams in partnership will make every effort, not only to meet, but we expect it will exceed our own goals."

Already contracted to do most of the printing for the convention is the Minuteman Press shop on South Broad Street, owned by businessman Jude Arijaje.

Arijaje says, "They not only treated me not as a union shop, not because we're a union shop. They came because they wanted the quality, they wanted somebody that will be responsive, and I'm thankful that I'm able to do that."

Mayor Nutter says this is far different from the pope's visit last month. The conventioneers will be big spenders - not religious pilgrims with limited cash.

Nutter explains, "I think our business people will have a very, very different experience. Nowhere near the level of security impact in Center City - virtually no security issues with regard to Center City, because again the venue is the Wells Fargo Center.

Convention officials and Mayor Nutter will be going online in the weeks ahead to try to help potential vendors to land some of the business coming next summer.