The GOP dropped only two of the initial contenders from consideration – Phoenix and Columbus. Cleveland and Cincinnati are still in the running, along with Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas and Kansas City.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson says teams from the GOP will visit the remaining cities next.
“The way I understand this is this is just to validate if what we put in our application is so," Jackson said. "Do we have the number of hotel rooms within a certain, 30 minutes?”
Jackson said the GOP will also likely inspect Quicken Loans Arena, and check in on local fundraising. It’s estimated a host city would need to pitch in as much as $50 million to $60 million dollars.
Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley tried to manage expectations, saying even making it this far is a sign the city is an attractive spot for major events.
“I believe that we’re going to be successful. We might not be," Kelley said. "But I think that what we should consider today is also that we’ve come this far, that the city of Cleveland has put itself on the national stage.”
Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald hailed the decision in a statement emailed through a spokesman.
"With the progress we have made in recent years to restore faith in county government, as well as our work to open a new convention center and begin construction on a 600-room downtown hotel," the email read, "Cleveland is in a strong position to compete with any other city for one of the 2016 conventions."
The Republican Party said it will narrow the field one more time before making a final decision this year.
Cleveland made unsuccessful convention bids in 2008 and 2012. Cuyahoga County Republican Party Chairman Rob Frost said development downtown now makes the city more attractive as a host.
"Now it's up to Cleveland to show what we've been building this last decade," Frost said. "And that Cleveland, for the logistics, the transportation, the housing, the arena, that everything, that they really feel that's a place they can hold a convention."
Jackson said Cleveland will also consider making a go at the Democratic convention.
