K-State Athletics generates more than $428 million in annual economic activity for the Manhattan community and the state of Kansas according to a thorough economic impact study performed by nationally-renowned Angelou Economics and the athletics department.
Angelou Economics, based in Austin, Texas, and who also recently performed a similar study at the University of Texas, utilized data from 2014-15 to conduct the study, which also revealed that more than 4,075 jobs resulted from the department’s impact.
“We know how electric America’s No. 1 College Town becomes when the Wildcats play, from filling Aggieville, downtown and area restaurants to creating a demand that has seen in upwards of 10 new hotel properties be constructed in the past several years,” Athletics Director John Currie said. “We set out to exhaustively study ourselves this summer on various fronts, and this study from Angelou Economics paints a solid picture of the overall value and impact K-State Athletics has on the local economy.”
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Visitors from outside of the community have a tremendous impact as more than 428,000 people visit Manhattan each year for our various events, accounting for 257,000 hotel stays in the Manhattan and surrounding areas and an average expenditure per person equaling $289 over a 1.5-day stay, a total that continues to rise each year. That comes out to $133.4 million in expenditures annually for those visiting Manhattan. A total of $42.1 million was spent at Manhattan area restaurants and $42.5 million in hotels.
“Visitors thoroughly enjoy The Little Apple,” added Manhattan CVB Vice President Karen Hibbard. “Kansas State University is a huge draw – featuring Division I Athletics, educational offerings and exceptional entertainment. Visitors also enjoy Manhattan’s unique dining venues, distinctive shopping locations and exceptional attractions featuring the Flint Hills region. The visitor lacks enough time to accomplish everything in one visit – hence causing the visitor to return time and time again, evidenced by the increased spending totals each year.”
“K-State Athletics is a major economic driver of the Manhattan economy, as well as for the greater state of Kansas,” said Angelou Vice President and General Manager William Mellor. “With nearly 430,000 in annual attendance for athletic events, K-State provides one of the largest and most consistent positive impacts to the economy, and much of that impact being concentrated in local businesses and retailers.”
The $210 million in athletic facility enhancements which provide a World-Class Student-Athlete Experience for K-State’s 450-plus student-athletes has not only benefitted coaches and student-athletes, but it also has played a significant role in the growth of the economy. Between 2011 and 2015, more than 2,585 jobs totaling $385.5 million in total economic output was accumulated due to the department’s facility enhancement projects.
“We feel like The Little Apple is a destination community for families and individuals of all ages, and the people of Manhattan – in addition to the 420,000-plus visitors annually – are what make our community so special,” Currie added. “A Carnegie Tier 1 Research Institution, a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program, the growth and expansion of Manhattan Regional Airport, the future arrival of the NBAF facility, a family-friendly yet vibrant community and loyal and dedicated fans and residents are all the reasons why Livability.com ranked Manhattan as America’s No. 1 College Town – and people across the nation are beginning to take notice.”
A summary of the Angelou’s study, which was also presented by Currie to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Athletics last week, can be found at www.k-statesports.com or by clicking here. Kansas State University has performed a similar study and will be releasing University impact results later this fall.