Republican National Committee members to visit Tampa in March

TAMPA --The Republican National Convention site selection team is expected to visit Tampa from March 28 to March 30.

Tampa is competing with Salt Lake City and Phoenix to host the party's 2012 convention. This is the third time Tampa has bid on the event.

"This time I feel more confident than ever," said Tampa developer Al Austin, who spearheaded the last two efforts to woo the Republicans and is leading this attempt as well.

A final decision on a host city could come by early summer. The RNC expects the Department of Justice to provide the winning city with about $50 million for security expenses, and local organizers plan to raise $49 million in private, tax-deductible contributions.