No college football would mean a $70 million hit to the Blacksburg economy

[mahatmakanejeeves]

No college football would mean a $70 million hit to the Blacksburg economy
By MIKE BARBER Richmond Times-Dispatch 17 hrs ago

No football this fall could cost the Blacksburg area more than $70 million, according to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. About $20 million of that comes directly from local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, shops, grocery stores and gasoline stations, which all see a boost on weekends when Virginia Tech plays home games at Lane Stadium.

“We lie awake at night about this,” said Sharon Scott, executive director for the chamber. “But we also understand that whatever decision is made, it’s going to be made with the greater good in mind.”

Scott said the chamber estimates “conservatively” the financial impact of a Virginia Tech football season on the region is between $69 and $71 million, a figure that includes everything from commerce to salaries to taxes to the estimated $41 million in revenue generated by the university from football.

{snip}

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[underpants]

1. No kidding.

[jimfields33]

2. It devestates the other sports at colleges too

Many don’t understand just how much football contributes to other college sports.

[Botany]

3. No SEC football will make the south very hard for Trump to win this fall too

Huge sections of America economy and social infrastructure are being hammered by "the beast."

[customerserviceguy]

7. They're not going to blame Trump for this

They'll blame China.

[Botany]

8. Yes, some will blame China but enough will..

...rightly blame Trump.

[Ferrets are Cool]

4. Maybe you shouldn't have so many of your eggs in one basket...

when those eggs break, you are in big trouble.

These young people should not be asked to risk their lives for $$ when they are NOT getting paid for their services.

[Sherman A1]

6. Precisely

Both the schools and the local economy should be more diversified in their income streams.

I wonder if any thought has been given to the economic cost of an outbreak of the virus on the school, local health care, local economy and the individuals who would likely suffer?

[empedocles]

5. Covid does not care