An economic development organization that's promoted Springfield's central business district for two decades is reaching out to the city for help covering the costs of major entertainment events.

Downtown Springfield Inc. is a not-for-profit organization funded largely by private investors.

The struggling organization has raised about $20,000 of the $50,000 it needs to operate through the end of the year.

Several of its summer events suffered losses, in part because of bad weather.

According to reports, Director Victoria Ringer says the organization doesn't expect cash from the city. But it wants help at major events with services like policing, cleanup and utilities.

Mayor Mike Houston sits on the organization's board of directors and says the city has helped where it could but that he is open to discussions.