Macon-Bibb leadership to expand sports tourism, grow local economy
Friday morning, Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller announced plans to invest SPLOST money in expanding recreational facilities and promoting sports tourism to help grow the local economy.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Sports have always been a part of Macon-Bibb county’s cultural heritage. With current and future investments in recreation, the county is now setting its sights on becoming a hub for sports tourism.
From historic landmarks like Luther Williams Baseball Field to newly constructed indoor Pickleball courts, there are plenty of opportunities for recreation in the county.
That’s why Macon-Bibb County leadership and community partners like Visit Macon are working to expand recreational facilities and promote sports tourism.
It’s a plan Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller calls “recession proof.”
“Expanding our tourism recreation means a lot in dollars and cents,” Mayor Miller said Friday. “It allows us the opportunity to get new people who come and spend money in our community, and also our for our kids to have the be able to play here locally.”
Vantrel Grayer, the founder and coach of the Macon Elite Amateur Athletic Union basketball program, says the expansion will help build community and create more opportunities for Macon’s youth.
“It’s just a positive influence,” Grayer said. “That’s what I love. Just being able to see kids just be kids, and have fun and compete and doing the things that they love.”
Grayer explained that with local teams often traveling to the Atlanta area or out of state for sporting events, expanding local facilities to accommodate for more sports programs and tournaments will not only ease the burden of travel but also generate revenue from visiting teams.
“One of the best things that can happen for us is having other teams from other states come down here and just compete at a high level,” Grayer said.
Mayor Miller says that with 54% of every dollar spent on tourism staying in the local economy, the income generated by sports tourism can help create jobs, support small businesses and strengthen the county as a whole.
He says the progress that has already been made on recreational facilities in the county is thanks to the community’s support of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST.)
“Getting us back on the sports map as well, we got the facilities to do it, got good bones,” Mayor Miller said. “We just need to reinvest some SPLOST dollars into those projects to make sure they’re successful and Macon will again be a destination place for everyone across the state.”
Mayor Miller says the county is already booking sports tournaments for next spring, and he expects to submit proposals for expansion as early as January.
