Strongman Economic Impact

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Posted: 8:53 AM Sep 8, 2008
Last Updated: 8:53 AM Sep 8, 2008
Reporter: Carrie Jones
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

7 comments

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CHARLESTON, W.VA. (WSAZ) -- You would think that a competition drawing athletes and fans from around the world would have a major economic impact on Charleston, but that's not the case.

We checked with several local hotels and motels and they're telling us the occupancy is about normal.

However, organizers are expecting larger crowds during the finals next weekend.

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones says the city didn't expect to make a bunch of money during the World Strongman competition.

Instead, he hopes it will give the city world wide recognition when the event airs on ESPN later this year.

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Posted by: anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Of course the other hotels aren't seeing any of the business that the competition has brought to town. that's because the good mayor handed all the business to the Marriott. the tax payers are footing the bill one way or another for something that may or will never happen from the ESPN coverage. I'm sure someone watching the competition will turn and look at their family and say we should go to Charleston, WV. I highly doubt that will happen. What the area hotels should be asking is why didn't the mayor share the competition attendees with all of the full service hotels instead of just the Marriott

Posted by: Beth on Sep 8, 2008 at 04:55 PM
With every type of business there is always a beginning. You have to get your name out there by word of mouth and then once that's established you will see the profit just start flowing. Let's just use this as a stepping stone in our quest for bringing more economic growth to our state. I can't wait till the finals....it's so exciting!

Posted by: RoaneCo. on Sep 8, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Why don't $2 Danny charge them a user fee. If they are inside the city limits they are using the city streets and they have EMT, fire and police services. Oh what am I thinking, Jones only takes advantage of working men and women not visitors of his private little kingdom he calls Charleston.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:56 PM
I have been reading about this for months now Alice. I remember an article about Phil Pfister planning the event and hoping that they would bring it here, that was about a year ago or so.

Posted by: TimA on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Seriously now. Who wants to come and see guys lift their guts out. This guy does not. This is a gross misjustice of taxpayers funds. City, County, User Fee payers and most of all the State of WV taxpayers who are paying 180,000. Yes, 180,000 taxpayers dollars from the governors contingency fund. Funds that you and I put in there. This is criminal. For no purpose does it serve the citizens of this state.

Posted by: Alice on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Where was the news coverage about the competition? I didn't hear about it until about 2 or 3 days ahead of time. Maybe others would have been there also had they had more advance notice.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Is he gonna charge the user fee to them too?

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