Posts tagged MO
Bike race rakes in big bucks for Colorado
Oct 19th
Attendance Numbers Surpass 1 Million for the Second Annual USA Pro Challenge Professional Cycling Race
Race Brings an Estimated $99.6 Million in Economic Impact to the State of Colorado
Denver (Oct. 18, 2012) – The 2012 USA Pro Challenge, the toughest professional cycling race in the U.S., reached attendance numbers of more than 1 million over the course of seven days, Aug. 20-26, as fans turned out to watch the action-packed, heart-pounding racing. After traveling to 12 towns for the official stage starts and finishes, and passing through many other notable cities along the way, the estimated economic impact of the race to the State of Colorado is $99.6 million, according to a study done by IFM North America, a global sports research firm.
With a lead change nearly every day, one of the closest professional races in U.S. history came down to the final moments of the Individual Time Trial in Denver, with American Christian Vande Velde of Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda taking home the overall win. The race received unprecedented coverage highlighting the beautiful terrain of the state that totaled 31 hours on NBC and NBC Sports Network in the U.S. and was broadcast internationally to 175 countries and territories around the world.
“The crowds at the 2012 USA Pro Challenge were unlike anything I’ve ever seen outside of the big races in Europe,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the Pro Challenge. “Driving the course every day and seeing the enthusiasm and passion from the fans lining the streets really gave a sense of the growing support for the sport of cycling in the U.S. This race showcases Colorado and provides an incredible economic impact that will hopefully be here for years to come.”
Direct spending by traveling spectators brought a significant portion of the economic impact. Both those fans from outside the state and Coloradans traveling 50 miles or more to take in an event stage contributed $81.5 million on lodging, food, transportation and entertainment. The remaining economic impact comes in the form of team, staff, sponsor and vendor spending, employment created by the event, and the resulting tax effects of the race.
The 2012 race attracted spectators from at least 25 states across the country, with the top five after Colorado being Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona and California. It also proved an exceptional following among Colorado residents, one of the significant contributing factors to the level of enthusiasm displayed by spectators along the entire 683-mile course.
“The enthusiasm we saw from the fans at this year’s USA Pro Challenge was unprecedented,” said Steve Johnson, president and CEO of USA Cycling, the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States. “One of our main goals is to grow competitive cycling in America and the USA Pro Challenge is doing just that. From the level of competition, to the huge crowds of fans lining the streets, to the overall organization, this race is exactly what we need in professional cycling.”
A draw for Colorado travel, 53 percent of spectators claimed they would not have traveled to Colorado at this time if it were not for the race. And with that, 75.8 percent stated they were very likely or likely to return to watch the race next year.
“The USA Pro Challenge is a huge community event that just continues to grow,” said Major Mark Savage of the Colorado State Patrol. “We are out there on the street with the fans ensuring a safe and fun event, and the respectful enthusiasm that continues to be displayed is amazing.”
Additional interesting analysis points include:
• Spectators traveled in groups, with the average party consisting of three people.
• While the median household income of Colorado residents is $56,456, race spectators averaged a household income of $110,000.
• Spectators were satisfied with almost all parts of the race and the experience, with more than 86 percent saying they were very satisfied or satisfied with the race.
• More than half of spectators in attendance reported they ride a bike for fitness, while roughly 21.9 percent responded they ride a bike occasionally or not at all.
• This was an audience that appreciates the world class level of competition at the USA Pro Challenge and watches major cycling events on television, with 93.4 percent stating they watch part of the Tour de France.
• The race drew spectators for various reasons with 64 percent wanting to witness the elite level of competition, 45 percent interested in the destination cities and 46 percent wanting to experience the start/finish festivals.
• Spectators’ experiences with the USA Pro Challenge positively influenced their view of the State of Colorado, with 75 percent of out-of-state visitors stating they are more likely or much more likely to visit Colorado again based on their experience at the USA Pro Challenge.
About the research study:
The USA Pro Challenge commissioned IFM North America, a global sports research firm with more than 20 years of experience working with events around the world, to conduct a quantitative research study to measure the attendance and overall economic impact of the race.
“We conduct these types of studies on events around the world throughout the year,” said David Porthouse, vice president of IFM North America. “Working with our local partners and stakeholders, we implement best practices as we develop the data and models used to accurately and fairly evaluate the success of their events.”
IFM designed the study from the outset to address many of the contentious issues surrounding economic impact assessments. Key areas addressed included:
• Substitution effects – Since local fans will often spend similar amounts on local sports and other entertainment, IFM did not include the local fan spend in the economic impact report.
• Time shifting – Colorado is an attractive destination for travel, so IFM deliberately filtered respondents to ensure they were not capturing data from spectators already in Colorado, independent of the Pro Challenge, and also used elimination questions to remove those fans who intended to come to Colorado in the near future independent of the race
• Sample sizes – Large samples were taken at all stages, distributed across the race locations.
About the USA Pro Challenge
For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes raced through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure as they ascended over three mountain passes, each exceeding 12,000 ft. in elevation. After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2011, making it one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history, the USA Pro Challenge returned for a second year in 2012. Featuring a challenging, 683-mile course with more than 42,000 ft. of vertical climbing, the race highlighted the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Challenge took place August 20-26, 2012, a week proclaimed by Governor John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday,” and traveled through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver. More information can be found online at www.ProChallenge.comand on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.
About IFM North America
IFMNA is an international research consultancy that focuses on the value of sports properties and assets, and the economic activity surrounding sporting events, leagues and their communities. IFMNA is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Its clients have included Major League Baseball, International Cycling Union, WTA, ATP, INDYCAR. IFMNA has a strong background in professional cycling, having experience with tracking cycling audiences and sponsorship valuations and impacts around the globe and performing similar economic impact work for more 10 stage races, including the Tour of Missouri and USA Pro Challenge. In addition, IFMNA has the privilege of working with many top cycling teams – BMC Racing Team, Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda, Team Type 1-Sanofi and, previously, Team Highroad.
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Incentives draw another outdoor retailer to Boulder
Jul 12th
City Manager Jane S. Brautigam has approved a flexible rebate application for Boulder-based American Rec for up to $25,000 in rebates. The rebates were authorized for sales and use taxes, and permit-related fees.
“American Rec’s decision to expand its operations in Boulder allows the city to be home to the company’s ten major outdoor industry brands, strengthening Boulder’s outdoor industry sector,” Brautigam said. “We are pleased that the flexible rebate program helped American Rec with its investment at its Gunbarrel location.”
The flexible rebate program is one of the city’s business incentives, covering a wide range of fees, equipment and construction use taxes. Under this program, the city manager may consider a specific incentive package for tax and fee rebates to meet a company’s specific needs. The company is then eligible for the rebate after it has made its investment and paid the taxes or fees to the city.
American Rec is a collection of ten prominent outdoor industry brands, including Kelty, Royal Robins, Sierra Designs, Wenzel, Slumberjack, Rokk, Insta-Bed, Mountain Trails, Ultimate Direction and ISIS. The company was founded in St. Louis, MO, and in 2010, moved its headquarters to Boulder where several of its brands were already based, and because of the strong outdoor industry and lifestyle. With the move, American Rec grew to 60 employees. After purchasing ISIS for Women and moving it to Boulder, American Rec now has almost 100 employees. The company recently remodeled its space at 6235 Lookout Road to better accommodate its growth.
“The Boulder location and exposure from the Diagonal Highway is an integral part of our corporate identity,” said Brett Jordan, chief executive officer of American Rec’s Equipment Group. “The new building remodel will meet the new demands of the consolidated divisions along with anticipated growth over the next several years.”
The flexible rebate program uses social, community, and environmental sustainability guidelines. Companies choose the guidelines that best fit their circumstances, but must meet minimum requirements in order to receive the rebate. American Rec has met the requirements and, of note, has a commute trip reduction program that includes alternative work schedules, showers, secure bike parking, and designated carpool parking. In addition, the company participates in volunteer industry initiatives, runs a recycling program, and will participate in the city’s energy assessment and EnergySmart programs.
American Rec’s application is the first 2012 flexible rebate application. The city’s approved 2012 budget includes $350,000 in funding for 2012 flexible tax and fee rebates for primary employers.
Boulder grabs the gold ring on energy merry-go-round
Apr 26th
The City of Boulder’s SmartRegs ordinance and the EnergySmart service were presented with the J. Robert Havlick award for Innovation in Government by the Alliance for Innovation at its annual conference in Kansas City, MO, on April 18.
Innovation Awards are chosen from the 70+ applications received by a multi-member selection committee consisting of city and county managers from across the United States and Alliance staff. The selection committee looks for local governments that have shown a dedication to stretching and improving the boundaries of day-to-day government operations and practices, implementing creative business processes, and improving the civic health of the community.
These programs “won the 2012 J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government for demonstrating a pragmatic and progressive approach for long-lasting energy savings in their community,” said Karen Thoreson, president of the Alliance for Innovation. “The work combined the successful and innovative approach of utilizing a regulatory platform, financial incentives and technical assistance tools for homeowners and renters in order to achieve measurable and meaningful results.”
In September 2010, Boulder City Council adopted three ordinances requiring all of Boulder’s rental housing – approximately half of the city’s housing stock – to meet energy efficiency standards by 2019. The new “SmartRegs” requirements went into effect in January 2011, and are part of the Climate Action Plan’s (CAP) “Reduce Use” strategy area, which was established to promote energy-conserving behavior in homes and businesses throughout Boulder.
To help homeowners, landlords and tenants navigate the new SmartRegs ordinance, the city and Boulder County created a SmartRegs path through EnergySmart. EnergySmart services provide efficiency solutions for homes, whether rental or owner-occupied, commercial businesses, and property owners in all Boulder County communities, resulting in permanent improvements to the existing building stock. The EnergySmart service provides people with an energy assessment, as well as an expert Energy Advisor who recommends upgrades specific to each property, helps with rebate and financing applications, and even helps collect bids from contractors to perform energy upgrades.
Some of the key results in the City of Boulder from 2011’s SmartRegs and EnergySmart efforts include:
- 678 owner-occupied units participated in the EnergySmart services, with 67% completing upgrades.
- 2,081 renter-occupied units participated in the EnergySmart service as a result of the SmartRegs policy, with 33% completing upgrades.
- Owner-occupied units that participated saw an average annual energy savings of 714 kWh of electricity and 226 therms of natural gas (equivalent to $219 per year).
- Renter-occupied units that participated saw an average annual energy savings of 217 kWh of electricity and 72 therms of natural gas (equivalent to $63 per year).
- 1,687 services were provided to 960 individual businesses.
- Commercial property owners and businesses receiving quick installs saw an average annual energy savings of 421 kWh of electricity (equivalent to $52 per year), and 14,930 kWh of electricity for businesses receiving upgrades (equivalent to $1,318 per year).
The results achieved through both EnergySmart and SmartRegs demonstrate an innovative approach to complementing a policy requirement with assistance and funding to ease the burden of compliance.
EnergySmart aims to reach at least 10,000 homes and 3,000 businesses throughout Boulder County by June 2013. It is designed to stimulate local economic growth; increase energy efficiency investment in Colorado; and advance the state’s energy independence through energy upgrades. EnergySmart is a collaborative partnership throughout Boulder County, funded by a $25 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program, combined with contributions from the City of Boulder’s Climate Action Plan tax and the City of Longmont.
The Alliance for Innovation is an international network of progressive governments and partners committed to transforming local government by accelerating the development and dissemination of innovations. They seek out innovative practices, challenge existing business models, exchange knowledge, and provide products and services that help members perform at their best.
For more information on EnergySmart programs and services, visit www.EnergySmartYes.com, or call 303-544-1000 for residential information and 303-441-1300 for commercial information. More information about the Alliance for Innovation can be found at www.transformgov.org.