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TODAY'S
ISSUE
New study shows impact
of Gwinnett convention facilities
By
Caryn Rachke
Executive Director, Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau
Special to GwinnettForum.com
SEPT. 21, 2004 -- Recently, the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors
Bureau (GCVB) commissioned two economic impact studies. Both studies,
the "Economic Impact of Tourism on Gwinnett County's Economy,
as well as the "Economic Impact of the Gwinnett Center Expansion"
were completed by Athens-based economist, Dr. Jeff Dorfman.
Rachke |
Why were these studies needed? We often field the question from
local and national media, such as, "What is the economic impact
of the BellSouth Classic?", or "What was the impact of
the recent Jehovah's Witness Convention on Gwinnett County?"
or simply "What is the impact of Gwinnett's hospitality industry?"
Research and available data may be available for Atlanta, but we
have always felt that the 'in-town' data was inflated for a suburban
market.
We felt that it was imperative to have objective, documented research
utilizing Gwinnett-only data, so that we could confidently speak
about the positive impact of the industry on the local economy.
The numbers are in. They tell a terrific story:
- Tourism in Gwinnett County generates $1.15 billion in economic
impact.
- Tourism in Gwinnett County represents 4.2 percent of the county's
economy.
- Is responsible for 18,075 jobs (on a full-time equivalent basis).
- Produces $478 million in household income for Gwinnett residents.
- Leads to $75.5 million in government taxes.
And without tourism - Gwinnett County residents would have to pay
an additional $109 per year in county taxes to make up the lost
revenue.
We were just as excited by the economic impact of the expansion
of Gwinnett Center/Arena. The Arena has already exceeded one goal---that
of providing Gwinnett a top-notch entertainment venue, and allowing
us the luxury of having professional sports, quality performers
and family shows close to home.
Dorfman |
What makes the success of the Ballroom/Arena even more fulfilling
is it was completed at no cost to the taxpayers. The $90 million
expansion was funded by a mix of development bonds and the hotel-motel
tax revenues. The support of Gwinnett County, and the GCVB Board
of Directors made the facility not only a reality, but a major success
in its first year of operation, both in revenues and impact:
- Gwinnett Center/Arena had an economic impact of $50.1 million
dollars on Gwinnett County's economy.
- Is responsible for 466 jobs (on a full-time equivalent basis)
- Produces $28.1 million in household income for Gwinnett residents.
- Generates economic impact that pays $3.9 million in government
taxes.
Locally, tourism may be more difficult to spot than in Orlando
or Savannah. Tourists don't always have fanny packs and cameras.
Look around, though: visitors are the out-of-towners who play against
your son's Little League team in the play-offs; the Jehovah's Witnesses
conventioneers that have brought in more than 30,000 attendees to
the Arena; the business travelers playing golf; or the family reunions
that you can see throughout summer in a Gwinnett County's park.
Awareness of the hospitality community's value is one of the GCVB's
missions. Our visitors help strengthen the fabric of our residents'
lives, providing jobs, venues, tax revenues and more. Gwinnett County
is fortunate to have amazing facilities, including Gwinnett Center,
Suwanee Sports Academy, Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, North
Atlanta Trade Center and many others.
If your organization or group has a meeting, convention, sporting
event or reunion, consider having the event in Gwinnett. The GCVB
will assist you in bringing the event here. You can count on the
fact that after seeing the numbers, your friends and family will
thank you as well.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Rise
in Medicare costs may be issue to turn election in 2004
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
SEPT. 21, 2004 -- If the upcoming national election turns on any
single issue, it could be the issue of medical costs. Of course,
there are other major issues facing the two major presidential candidates.
Among them: Iraq, Afghanistan, bringing the troops homes, slow growth;
jobs and transporting jobs overseas; the economy in general; and
on and on.
 Any
single issue is important, for people across the country feel, according
to polls, that the 2004 election is relatively close. Remembering
how the 2000 election boiled down to a virtual 50-50 split, and
was decided by one state's electoral vote, and with the nation clearly
divided, this time it could be one issue, not one state, which decides
the election.
Recently came an announcement that affects some 42 million Americans:
the nation's Medicare beneficiaries. And that announcement was no
small item: Medicare premiums will jump next year 17 per cent, a
whopping $11.60 a month. It is the largest Medicare premium increase
in the 40 year history of the program.
No doubt Medicare recipients, who turn out heavily to vote, will
have one view of this increase: they won't like it one bit, especially
the high amount of the increase.
Granted, the other major issues of the year are each singularly
important topics to many Americans. They cover a lot of ground,
and for many people, are "hot" topics and can determine
the way people vote.
Yet to, in effect, throw a pie into the face of the Medicare beneficiaries
can cause a sea change in the way these people think. If this topic
sways people as we think it could swing a few states, it appears
that the Democrats will be the beneficiary.
After all, the Republicans talk extensively and offer promises
about medical care. Yet their words appear hollow in the face of
the Medicare premium increases. While President Bush touts helping
the elderly with medical expenses, with this new development, his
talk could fall on deaf ears. It virtually makes you think that
the Republicans are talking out of two sides of their mouths. When
your talk doesn't coincide with reality, people begin to ask questions.
What is interesting about these Medicare increases is that this
is an issue that the Republican Party cannot control. The GOP up
until now has done a superb job of deflecting criticism of President
Bush. They bring up a new subject, or shift the direction of the
criticism. This way, they hope by changing the subject, it will
ensure that the voters lose interest in the issue, or else will
accept the GOP input.
Yet with Medicare beneficiaries, it's for the GOP harder to deflect
that 17 per cent increase in premiums. After all, the formula for
these premiums are set by law, something the party in power cannot
control. The increases also reflect the rapid rising health costs.
New talk by the GOP of prescription drug benefits pales in face
of the new Medicare increase.
Though we complain about the length of a presidential campaign,
one beneficiary of the length is the continued airing of many major
issues before the electorate. The emergence of Medicare increases
is the latest campaign issue in a tight election, which may determine
the election's outcome.
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
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CALENDAR
Linder's office accepting
applications for service academies
The office of U.S. Rep. John Linder is now accepting applications
from eligible high school seniors currently residing in the 7th
Congressional District for a nomination to the following service
academies: Military Academy at West Point, New York; Naval Academy
at Annapolis, Maryland; Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point,
New York; and Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado. The
Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut, does not require
a nomination.
Each applicant competing for a nomination from Representative Linder
must meet the following requirements as of July 1 of the year of
admission to a service academy:
- Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed his/her 23rd birthday;
- Be an U.S. citizen, residing in the Seventh Congressional District
of Georgia;
- Be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to
support children or other dependents; and
- Be men/women of good moral character who are trustworthy, emotionally
stable, and motivated.
Nominations are based on a variety of criteria: a candidate's high
school academic ranking, SAT or ACT scores, athletic ability, and
leadership potential as demonstrated by extra-curricular activities,
community service or part-time employment. Deadline for submitting
application is 5 p.m. on October 22, 2004.
For more information regarding the nomination process contact Annie
Valenty, the Seventh Congressional District's Academy Advisory Panel
Coordinator at (770) 232-3005 or visit Representative Linder's website
at http://linder.house.gov
Roundtable on Sept. 28 to focus on strengthening marriage
Georgia Family Council (GFC), in partnership with several local
churches in Duluth and Norcross, invite participation in a special
roundtable session to be held Sept. 28, 2004 at Winfield Hall in
Duluth..
This event will target the areas of marriage and family health.
A community snapshot will be presented that will include data on
marriage, divorce, out-of-wedlock births, co-habitation and domestic
violence. Personal input will be gleamed from local church leaders,
counselors, other marriage professionals, community leaders, organizations
and the media.
This event is a part of GFC's new marriage-building movement called
MarriageNet, which seeks to encourage healthy marriage and reduce
divorce. Through MarriageNet, GFC will equip both church and community
leaders with the resources they need to help alleviate the suffering
that is caused by the devastation of divorce.
The event is on Tuesday, Sept 28 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Breakfast
and lunch will be provided. There is no cost for this event.
To make a reservation, contact Laurie Boltin at 770-242-0001 or
by e-mail at laurie@gafam.org.
BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
- An invitation: What books have you enjoyed? Send us your
best recent book along with a short paragraph as to why you liked
it, plus what you plan to read next. --eeb
ENCYCLOPEDIA
TIDBIT
9/21: Atlanta just
beginning as city at the time of the Civil War
At the time of the Civil War, Atlanta boasted a population of almost
10,000 (one-fifth of whom were slaves), a substantial manufacturing
and mercantile base, and four major railroads connecting the city
with all points of the South. It was neither Georgia's capital nor
the largest city in the state, but it was energetic and thriving.
 After
the outbreak of war in spring 1861, Atlantans volunteered and formed
the bulk of the 12 companies of infantry from Georgia. Casualties
soon occurred.
With the Confederate loss of middle Tennessee in early 1862, Atlanta
became the military medical center. The Atlanta Medical College,
which had already suspended classes, became a hospital, as did hotels
and municipal buildings. Construction of a big hospital complex
on the city fairgrounds eventually relieved the crowding of sick
and wounded soldiers downtown.
The railroad passenger depot in the center of town served as a
busy receiving and distributing point for Southern servicemen. A
convalescent camp was established in the northwest suburbs. The
city cemetery, then 25 acres (today known as Oakland Cemetery and
much larger), also had to be expanded; some 632 soldiers were buried
during 1862 alone.
Advances of Union forces in Tennessee and Mississippi made Atlanta
a city of refugees. Its population was estimated at 17,000 in mid-1862
and 20,000 a year later. Hotels and boardinghouses were overwhelmed
as newcomers took over vacant lots and train cars. So many strangers
milled about that the city council put up Atlanta's first street
signs in May 1863.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Erma Bombeck was not
kidding about this thought
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope
that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say:
I used everything you gave me."
-- the late Erma Bombeck, (1927-1996), via Paige Havens.
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