That Grand Rapids won the nod to host the 2017 State Games of America has ramifications beyond just the economic impact that bringing in thousands of out-of-state athletes and spectators will have on the region.
According to an article in MiBiz, the effects are far reaching:
The article noted, “For Mike Guswiler, executive director of the West Michigan Sports Commission, hosting the athletic competition serves as validation for all the effort his organizations and others in the community have put in to elevating sports in the region.
“This is really a statement that we have arrived as a commission and as a destination for youth and amateur sports,” Guswiler said.
Community support and strong facilities were ultimately the tipping points that helped Grand Rapids win its bid to host the State Games of America, which will be held Aug. 3-6 in 2017.
The biennial, Olympic-style sports competition is put on by the National Congress of State Games (NCSG) and will bring in an estimated 5,000 athletes from outside of the state to join the roughly 8,000 in-state competitors.”
Read the full article here.
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