The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has chosen Los Angeles as the site for the first annual Latin Grammys, rejecting Miami because of an anti-Cuban business ordinance and ruling out two other South Florida cities for other commercial reasons.

The rejection of the South Florida cities of Miami, Miami Beach and Ft. Lauderdale is considered a cultural and economic blow. There would have been prestige in holding the 39-category awards ceremony in a region that is home to numerous Latin music labels, not to mention listeners who are enthusiastic about Latin pop, salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz. The event could have also brought the region as much as $35 million in retail, hotel, restaurant and concert revenues.

Miami had offered its new American Airlines Arena for the awards show, but the arena is owned by Dade County, which has an ordinance that does not allow it to do business with anyone conducting business with Cuba. That ordinance could have prevented Cuban musicians from performing at the ceremony, had they been nominated for awards and asked to perform. The Academy also rejected Miami due to concerns that there might be protests at the event.

Miami Beach--which is in Broward, not Dade County--also tried for the awards, proposing a deal that included tax and rental incentives. But Academy officials rejected it, citing the political climate and claiming that the local government did not offer funding guarantees.

Ft. Lauderdale made a late push for the awards, too, offering its National Car Rental Center for the event, but was rejected in part because it wanted to charge rent for its venue, while L.A.'s Staples Center would not, according to the Miami Herald. Staples Center director of communications Michael Roth would not comment on the terms of his venue's proposal.

In Los Angeles, the Staples Center is competing against the Universal Amphitheatre to host the September awards. The Academy has not made a final decision on a venue, though the new Staples Center is considered a strong contender.

The Center was already chosen to host the Feb. 23 Grammys. Roth said his venue's strengths include its proximity to the Los Angeles Convention Center, where related events could be held, and the available parking.

Seating capacity is also a factor, confirmed Adam Sandler, the Academy's vice president of communication. The Staples Center seats 12,500 people, and Universal Amphitheatre seats 6,000.

Music released between Jan. 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000 will be eligible for Latin Grammy nomination. In addition to categories such as Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist, the Academy will also give individual awards in Pop, Rock, Tropical, Regional, Traditional, Jazz, Brazilian, Children's, Classical, Production and Video. The awards show will be broadcast on CBS, which is also televising the regular Grammys.