by Leah Justice
Polk County Economic Development Director Robert
Williamson told county commissioners last week he
projects the Tryon International Equestrian Center
(TIEC) will have a $53,358,480 economic impact to area
businesses in the 2015 show season.
Commissioners met Jan. 5 and heard an office of
economic development activity report from Williamson.
“Polk County, N.C. is in the midst of unprecedented
opportunities for economic prosperity,” said
Williamson. “We must take careful aim at our dreams
and goals to grasp the benefits while preserving what
makes us who and what we are.”
Williamson made it clear his projections are
conservative saying on the low end 4,000-8,000 people
will visit TIEC each week this year.
“The number of visitors could easily grow to more than
10,000 or 12,000 each week during the 2015 TIEC show
season,” he said. “This means that 120,000 to 360,000
visitors will be in Polk County during the 2015 TIEC
season in addition to the BBQ festival, Steeplechase,
FENCE events, Green River Games, etc.”
On the conservative side, Williamson said if 4,000
visiting adults spend an average of $317.61 per event,
there could be $1,270,440 spent per four-day event.
That equates to $38,113,200 in direct spending and a
$53,358,480 approximate economic impact for 2015
over the 30-week season. The projections are based on four-day events over a 30-
week period during 2015. Williamson also said the
$317 per person spent on average is based on a 2008
North Carolina Equine Study with projected visitors to
events consisting of competing teams,
vendors/suppliers and spectators.
“So no matter how you slice and dice it on a
conservative level, it means a significant economic
impact,” Williamson told commissioners. “When I run
the numbers at the high end, it’s mind boggling.”
In tax dollars, the projected impact is even more
tangible for Polk County.
Williamson said in visitor spending, if just ½ is spent in
Polk County that would be a $19,056,600 economic
impact. If half is taxable sales, that would mean a direct
$190,566 in sales tax revenue for Polk County, based on
two percent return.
And the lodging side of the TIEC could also make a big
economic impact for Polk County, according to
Williamson’s projections.
If half of Polk’s lodging rooms are filled with the visitors
to the TIEC, that would mean $74,992 in occupancy tax
revenue for Polk County and $9,999 in sales tax revenue
off lodging, according to Williamson.
If 80 percent of Polk’s lodging is filled, that would mean
$119,988 in occupancy tax revenue and $15,998 in sales
tax revenue off lodging, according to Williamson.
Polk County normally budgets approximately $64,000
in occupancy tax revenue per year. Williamson told commissioners TIEC visitors will spend
time and money in Polk County as well as nearby areas.
He said there are opportunities from the TIEC for
lodging; dining, food and beverage; transportation;
vehicle fuel, service and repair; shopping, merchandise
and groceries; health and medical services; recreation;
supplies and services for equine and laundry and dry
cleaning.
Looking ahead Williamson said there will be a series of
workshops, roundtable discussions and publication
sponsored by the Polk County Economic Development
to help the community accommodate the increased
visitors.
Williamson said he had one business who asked him
recently why they had record numbers in the month of
October. Williamson said he answered because of the
equestrian center.
Williamson said he’s also been working with Rutherford
and Spartanburg counties who will also see economic
impacts from the center and he plans to reach out to
lots of local businesses in lots of ways.
The TIEC located directly off the Pea Ridge Road exit of
U.S. 74 opened last year and is still under construction.
The equestrian center has been constructed with shows
beginning in the fall of 2014 as well as an RV park and
other amenities. Homesites are also planned as well as a
hotel scheduled to open in 2016.