PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) — Two nationally recognized youth tournaments — The Varsity Spirit’s Grand Nationals Cheer Competition and the New England Basketball Championship — are expected to raise more than $3 million for the Rhode Island economy.
The jubilee competition at the Rhode Island Convention Center is expected to draw 17,000 attendees, while the basketball tournament at Rhode Island College and Tiverton is expected to draw 3,000.
“That’s money that’s being spent on hotels and restaurants,” Rhode Island Sports Commission executive director John Gibbons said. “The good thing is the tills are ringing all weekend for all the different stores.”
One such company is Union Station Brewery, just down the street from the convention center. The brewery owner stated, “It sure is a big help, more money for Providence, more money for RI, it’s just great to see.” He continued, “It’s great to see people in Providence again.”
The masses have already signed over 4,000 hotel rooms across the Ocean State.
“Every tax dollar that we can bring into Rhode Island from outside of Rhode Island is actually saving people their own tax dollars,” Gibbons said. “It’s nice to have a local tourist, someone who came to Providence from Newport or vice versa. But it’s a lot nicer when someone comes from New York City or Philadelphia, Washington DC – and brings their money to us.”
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