Economic
Impact
 At a time when Oregon is in dire need of economic stimulus, Major
League Baseball can be a key factor in rejuvenating the state's economy and
civic pride. An analysis of new ballparks constructed in the last several years
reveals one consistent theme: every community with a new ballpark has
experienced economic benefits that have far exceeded the region's original
expectations.
Based on other ballpark construction projects, an Oregon
MLB ballpark will produce more than
1,500
full-time construction jobs. Turner Construction, the nation's largest
sports facility builder with more than 70 major ballparks, stadiums, arenas,
and related sports facilities completed in the last 5 years, estimates that
1,300-1,600 construction related jobs will be created by the construction of a
new Portland ballpark. More than
2,000
permanent jobs are anticipated as a result of the new ballpark and team.
New tourism generated by MLB in Oregon will bring ancillary tourism
benefits to all regions of our state – common sense alone might suggest
that many visitors coming to see MLB in Portland will also travel to and spend
money in other areas of Oregon, either on the same visit or on a future one.
There’s also ample evidence to back that logic. In Denver, 10 percent of
Colorado Rockies' attendees are tourists who stay at least one night in a
Colorado hotel. At this percentage (assuming a conservative average attendance
of 28,000 per game for a Portland team), approximately 227,000 new overnight
tourist visits to Oregon will be generated each year. As further evidence
backing this projection, studies from Houston and Phoenix have documented that
tourists account for 18 percent and 11 percent of game attendees respectfully
– generating hundreds of thousands of new dollars in hotel and car rental
tax revenue.
Not surprisingly, the Oregon Tourism Commission is a
strong proponent of the Oregon Stadium Campaign. David Zielke, Chair of the
commission, proclaims, “Baseball would provide our state a world class
attraction that will create jobs, visitor spending throughout the state and
help create awareness domestically and internationally that Oregon is a great
place to visit.
”The thousands of Oregonians who consistently
travel to Seattle and San Francisco to see MLB – and spend their money
outside of Oregon – will now be able to experience the nation's pastime in
our home state, while keeping their dollars in Oregon's economy, and again
benefiting all Oregonians. A trip to Portland will cost much less and allow for
more discretionary spending on other Oregon entertainment options.
Approximately 15 percent of Portland Trail Blazers’ ticket buyers
reside outside of Oregon, most in Southwest Washington. Assuming 15 percent of
ticket buyers of an Oregon MLB team are from out of state, approximately
340,000 new out-of-state tourist visits will be made to Oregon each year,
resulting in a major economic infusion for the state’s restaurants, bars
and retail establishments.
A Portland MLB team will result in millions
of dollars in new revenues for our state's general fund, just from the
construction jobs alone created by building a new stadium – not to mention
the taxes generated from surrounding businesses who will benefit from thousands
of people eating, drinking and/or sleeping in their establishments during the
81 MLB homes games. It all ads up to substantially more general fund revenue
for use for services throughout the entire state. The various elements of
economic impact -- substantial direct revenue to local, regional and state
governments, new private development, new jobs, tourism impact and enhanced
national visibility -- materialize into a formidable combination of economic
benefits that will permeate the state of Oregon.
It is also important
to recognize the intangible value of Major League Baseball -- the vibrancy and
energy that is infused into a community. Major League Baseball is a singular
experience that promotes civic pride and enhances the cultural experience of a
region, while providing families with unlimited entertainment and treasured
memories of times at the ballpark. The Oregon Stadium Campaign and others
involved in this campaign are committed to providing Oregonians with direct
access to this truly special experience. We hope that you will join us in the
effort. If you haven't already done so, please document
your support for the campaign and contact Oregon public
officials to convey your enthusiasm for bringing MLB to Oregon. |
