Economic impact of Empire State Games
After being canceled last summer, the Empire State Games are back. Opening Ceremonies take place Wednesday night and competition runs Thursday through Sunday at venues around the Buffalo region. YNN's Mark Gruba examines the economic impact of hosting the Games.
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AMHERST, N.Y. -- Athletic facilities around the region are ready for the Empire State Games. Canceled last summer due to funding cuts, the Games return to Buffalo for the first time since 2003.
“Having the Games back here in Buffalo is just wonderful for everyone, the economy, the students coming into the area, the schools for the possibility of recruiting student athletes,” said Pete Harvey, the Director of Sport Development at Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau.
About 6,000 athletes will compete, with an average of two spectators per athlete. That adds up to a lot of hotel rooms and restaurant meals. Calculated from revenues at prior Empire State Games, the economic impact will be an estimated $10-12 million.
Kevin Lobaugh, the manager of Toni Pepperoni in Amherst, said they’re hoping for a slice of the action, “I think it will have a big impact because we got all you can eat pizzas. I know sports players when they're done with a big game they're real hungry so if they want to fill up this is a good place to come.”
A majority of the athletic competition will take place on UB's North Campus. It all starts with the Opening Ceremony Wednesday night in the stadium.
RPM Entertainment, a local production company, will produce the Opening Ceremony which will feature the musical act Third Eye Blind and the torch lighting.
“Our stage is about 40 by 100. We have a couple big LED screens to carry the action live so it's fun,” RPM Entertainment Productions Owner Reed Rankin said.
Some last minute touches remain, but planning for the Games began three years ago.
Every detail considered to showcase the best of Erie and Niagara Counties.
As the athletes parade into the stadium all the hard work will pay off.
“I'll be able to sit back and enjoy it and then I'll be able to go around and see some athletic competition which I can't wait to see the kids compete,” Harvey said.