Paul Cramer, President and CEO of The Classic Center, shares how the venue’s journey began in 1995, steadily growing into one of Athens’ key economic drivers.“We began building The Classic Center nearly 30 years ago, and since then, it’s expanded four times. We’ve grown from hosting 300 events to as many as 600 events yearly and now we are anticipating Akins Ford Arena adding an additional 125 events annually to that number. Our economic impact has grown significantly—currently, we’re generating about $60 million annually and the arena is projected to increase that impact to $90 million annually,” Cramer explains. THE RIPPLE EFFECT The latest expansion—Akins Ford Arena—is central to Athens’ long-term development plans.“It is in the mission of The Classic Center to generate maximum economic impact. The Classic Center Authority Board challenged us with the question of, how can we further that impact on our community. We conducted two studies through Odell and CSL, and through that, the answer was obvious that the arena would help us further our mission” Cramer stated. The 8,500-seat arena will soon host major concerts, professional hockey, and sports tournaments, bringing unprecedented opportunities to the region. Cramer continues, “This arena changes everything. It’s not just about the events—it’s about the ripple effects those events have on tourism, local businesses, job creation, and the overall vitality of Athens.” Athens also benefits from a year-round inflow of university students. For nine months out of the year, the town is home to approximately 40,000 students. These students contribute to the local economy and draw in parents, athletics events, and tourists— particularly after winning back-to-back national football championships. “Having that additional substantial punch to our local economy is great,” says Cramer.“But it’s much larger than that because students bring families, friends, and visitors, which continues to bolster our economy.” The economic impact is staggering, with the arena expected to generate an additional $30 million in annual revenue for the city, raising The Classic Center’s total economic impact to $90 million.“We’ve already seen the numbers climb with our existing Paul Cramer & Katie Williams 57 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 AKINS FORD ARENA, THE CLASSIC CENTER
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