07 Festival of Discovery's Economic Impact Released

August, 16, 2007 

Greenwood, SC - Barbeque and blues music seem to be a successful combination for Greenwood.  Now there are numbers to verify that statement. 

The 2007 South Carolina Festival of Discovery Economic Impact Report (download pdf file) was presented to the Uptown Greenwood Development Corporation Board (UGDC) at their meeting held yesterday, Wednesday, August 15.  The report shows a 40% increase in the overall revenue generated directly/indirectly as a result of the Festival.   It is estimated the Festival impacted the local and regional economy by over $315,000.  In 2006, the Festival brought over $220,000 into the area economy.

“We are thrilled with the positive results,” said UGDC Manager Angie Jones.  “I want to personally thank the many sponsors and volunteers who have invested in this growing Greenwood tradition.”

The report also showed that 289 room nights were booked in Greenwood County hotels as a result of the Festival.

Jones attributes this year’s success to a number of factors including the weather. 

“The weather was perfect,” Jones said.  “The Lord really blessed the Festival this year!” 

The energy from the 2007 Festival was summed up by one online blog by Harry Bryan, owner of the Q-We-Do Barbeque Team.  Bryan made his blog on Friday, July 13 using a wireless network set up for the participating barbeque teams.

“There are literally thousands of people here listening to blues on the main stage. This is one huge block party. HUGE!” Bryan said.

Bryan continued, “There are several BBQ vendors lined up about 50 feet from us and there are huge lines at each station.”

A breakdown of the total revenue cited in the study is:

·         Projection of visitor expenditures                     $209,016.36

·         Sales tax generated                                       $14,631.15

·         Expenditures from festival budget                    $23,675.00

·         Festival revenue generated                              $24,268.00

·         Additional restaurant revenue generated           $20,000.00

·         Sales tax generated from restaurants              $1,400.00

·         Hotel room revenue generated                         $20,230.00

·         Sales tax from hotel rooms                             $1,416.10

·         State accommodations tax generated              $404.60

·         Local accommodations tax generated              $606.90

TOTAL                                                         $315,648.11

The report also noted that Festival participants, including barbeque teams, judges, and other vendors, traveled to Greenwood from 207 different zip codes and 11 different states. 

The 2008 South Carolina Festival of Discovery is scheduled for Thursday, July 10 – Saturday, July 12.  For additional information on the Festival, visit www.festivalofdiscovery.com or call Uptown Greenwood (864) 942-8448.