The Trenton Times published the following article on October 9, 2013. To read the full article, click here.
Business group says 2014 Special Olympics could generate $80 million for Mercer County region
By Bridget Clerkin/The Times of Trenton
on October 09, 2013 at 3:13 PM, updated October 09, 2013 at 3:14 PMLAWRENCE — Upwards of $80 million in economic activity could be generated in the Central Jersey area when the state hosts the national Special Olympics next summer.
That’s according to officials from the Mid Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the state’s Special Olympics organization, which hosted a discussion of the financial impact at its headquarters in Lawrence this morning.
Chamber president Robert Prunetti said the cash influx will come from the 70,000 spectators and family members, 10,000 volunteers, 1,000 coaches and delegates and 3,500 athletes who are expected to flock to the region, and its hotels, restaurants and recreational areas, for the week-long event next June.
“This will have a tremendous economic impact on the Central Jersey area,” Prunetti said. “We should not only take advantage of that, but take the opportunity to show these people what a great area this is.”
The chamber will release a report detailing the anticipated windfall in the next few weeks, he said.