Pittsburg residents wanting to see the Kansas Shrine Bowl will have to wait until this upcoming summer.
But for Pittsburg businesses, an event with a projected similar economic impact is only a few weeks away. When the Citizens Bank Bowl kicks off on Dec. 6, not only will Pittsburg play host to a battle between the top two junior college teams in the nation, but also to the estimated 5,000 fans expected to make the trip.
“The Shrine Bowl is very different in terms of setup,” said Craig Hull, Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau director. “But if you’re just talking pure economic impact, the Citizens Bank Bowl looks very similar.”
Hull said he anticipated about 4,000 fans from Fort Scott Community College, with another 1,000 or so from Blinn (Texas).
“None of that counts local football fans who would come to attend, nor other fans from across the state, scouts, coaches or teams,” Hull said. “There will be a lot of people with interest in this game, and we should draw quite well.”
So should Pittsburg businesses, though much of that business could come on a Sunday, when local businesses are either often closed or skeleton-staffed.
“Businesses need to be ready for that crowd,” Hull said. “I would implore them to take advantage of their opportunity, to stock up on product, and to have extra staff ready.”
Hull said businesses could also help their cause through signage welcoming people for the Citizens Bank Bowl.
“That would mean the world to the players and the fans,” Hull said. “It would be special to them.”
He said many families would likely make the trip a weekend getaway, staying in hotels, eating in local restaurants, seeing local attractions and shopping in local shops.
Just how much impact could the game bring? Hull said that Shrine Bowl studies showed the game often brought between $500,000 and $700,000 in economic impact. But unlike the Shrine Bowl, the Citizens Bank Bowl comes at a time when the area typically labors to bring in tourists. It also comes when most local businesses are working to make their yearly goals financially.
“I don’t see how you could think of it in any other way as a huge advantage for our community,” said Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce president. “You’re going to have thousands of shoppers here in the middle of holiday season.”
“For Pittsburg, this is going to be really significant,” Hull added. “December is one of the hardest months to pull people in, and it’s going to be a nice economic boost for our businesses. I just hope everybody is prepared for the number of fans who are going to come through. The business is going to be there.”
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Pittsburg residents wanting to see the Kansas Shrine Bowl will have to wait until this upcoming summer.
But for Pittsburg businesses, an event with a projected similar economic impact is only a few weeks away. When the Citizens Bank Bowl kicks off on Dec. 6, not only will Pittsburg play host to a battle between the top two junior college teams in the nation, but also to the estimated 5,000 fans expected to make the trip.
“The Shrine Bowl is very different in terms of setup,” said Craig Hull, Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau director. “But if you’re just talking pure economic impact, the Citizens Bank Bowl looks very similar.”
Hull said he anticipated about 4,000 fans from Fort Scott Community College, with another 1,000 or so from Blinn (Texas).
“None of that counts local football fans who would come to attend, nor other fans from across the state, scouts, coaches or teams,” Hull said. “There will be a lot of people with interest in this game, and we should draw quite well.”
So should Pittsburg businesses, though much of that business could come on a Sunday, when local businesses are either often closed or skeleton-staffed.
“Businesses need to be ready for that crowd,” Hull said. “I would implore them to take advantage of their opportunity, to stock up on product, and to have extra staff ready.”
Hull said businesses could also help their cause through signage welcoming people for the Citizens Bank Bowl.
“That would mean the world to the players and the fans,” Hull said. “It would be special to them.”
He said many families would likely make the trip a weekend getaway, staying in hotels, eating in local restaurants, seeing local attractions and shopping in local shops.
Just how much impact could the game bring? Hull said that Shrine Bowl studies showed the game often brought between $500,000 and $700,000 in economic impact. But unlike the Shrine Bowl, the Citizens Bank Bowl comes at a time when the area typically labors to bring in tourists. It also comes when most local businesses are working to make their yearly goals financially.
“I don’t see how you could think of it in any other way as a huge advantage for our community,” said Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce president. “You’re going to have thousands of shoppers here in the middle of holiday season.”
“For Pittsburg, this is going to be really significant,” Hull added. “December is one of the hardest months to pull people in, and it’s going to be a nice economic boost for our businesses. I just hope everybody is prepared for the number of fans who are going to come through. The business is going to be there.”
