Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
The Packers are great for the economy
By Mary Lazich
Saturday, Jan 19 2008, 06:00 AM
Do football stadiums have an impact on local economies?
If you ask Robert Baade, Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department of Economics and Business at Lake Forest College, he will say no.
Baade has done extensive research in this area, and muninetguide.com reports that Baade believes that, in general, the research indicates little or no support for the contributions of stadiums or other sports venues to local economies.
An exception is tiny Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Baade says that because the city is so small relative to other cities with NFL teams, it finds itself in the rather unique position of enjoying economic benefits. A rabid statewide following doesn’t hurt, either.
The Green Bay Press Gazette reports that the latest survey on the economic impact of a home Green Bay Packers game was done in 2000. The study was conducted for the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and CFL International.
A green package game added $3.5 million to the local economy and a gold package game brought in $3.9 million. Green package ticket holders buy tickets for a preseason game and six regular season games. Former Milwaukee season-ticket holders get tickets for a preseason game and two regular season games as part of the gold package.
The Press Gazette asked Susan Farrell of Ashwaubenon-based Associated Bank to apply a three percent inflation rate to the 2000 figures. Farrell calculated that the green package games, adjusted for inflation, would have a local economic impact of $4,433,695, and the gold package games would go to $4,940,403.
Brad Toll, president and chief executive officer of Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau, believes that even those figures are conservative. Toll says a more updated economic impact study that is being considered would include data from hotels, restaurants, bars and other businesses that have opened since 2000.
The frozen tundra the Packers call home, Lambeau Field was recently named by Sports Illustrated the number 1 stadium in the NFL for the best fan value experience. The Packers’ opponent in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, the New York Giants home stadium rates number 25.
The Green Bay Packers are a treasure to the state of Wisconsin.
We should all be proud. We’re lucky to have them.
