Report: Center’s events draw $24.3M into Greene County

Events held at the center, 3001 N. Grant Ave., have an economic impact in Greene County of about $24.3 million annually, officials estimate. With an average of 80 events held there each year, more than 500,000 visitors pass through the center’s gates.

Annual events at the center include the Ozark Empire Fair, FarmFest, HorseFest, the Lawn & Garden Show, national livestock shows, motor sports shows, RV shows and collectible and gun shows.

The fair is responsible for a major portion of the center’s economic impact, pulling in nearly $4 million in visitors’ direct spending each year, according to the report. Other events generate a total of more than $10.2 million in direct spending annually. More than a third – 39 percent – of fair attendees travel more than 25 miles, with 5 percent of those coming from out-of-state.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s April 17 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.