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HIGH POINT -- One of the key investors in the company that bought the three main showrooms at the High Point Market is receiving a flurry of publicity in the Republican presidential race, though it isn't particularly flattering.

Bain Capital Partners, which is part of the International Market Centers consortium that purchased the showrooms in May, is being criticized because of its ties to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. The Republican presidential candidate made his fortune in part through Bain, which he co-founded nearly 30 years ago. Romney left the company in 1999.

Romney's political rivals, such as former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, recently have blasted Romney for taking actions through Bain that they say cost workers jobs.

During a campaign event in New Hampshire earlier this month, Gingrich criticized Romney for making millions of dollars through Bain as the company sometimes laid off people as part of restructuring businesses. Romney, in turn, has defended his work at Bain, proclaiming the company is a net creator of jobs through its investments.

The top executive for International Market Centers said he's confident in the positive role Bain will play with the company and High Point Market. Bob Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, said he isn't worried that political attacks on Romney through Bain will have a ripple effect.

"Anybody who's a business leader understands when you are part of over 300 companies (like Bain), there are successes and failures. But their overall track record is just unprecedented as a good one," Maricich told The High Point Enterprise.

Having Bain involved in the High Point Market will be positive in the long term for both the trade show and city, Maricich said.

"There's no scenario where less is more in our business model," Maricich said.

A local political analyst said the inclusion of Bain into the Republican presidential debate raises the possibility of more scrutiny of the company's deals, such as the one with International Market Centers. There's precedent with other companies, said Matthew DeSantis, professor of political science at Guilford Technical Community College.

One example from the recent past is Halliburton Co., the energy business that was thrust into the limelight 11 years ago when its former executive, Dick Cheney, became vice president.

"All of a sudden, Halliburton became a nationally known corporation when it had been pretty much faceless. Because of Dick Cheney, everybody was looking at their deals and what they are doing," DeSantis said.