Basketball bringing big business to Terre Haute
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMarch Madness has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise and an economic and visibility windfall for the cities and the schools that play.
The city of Indianapolis generated more than $14 million for the regional economy after hosting first and second round games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse earlier this month.
The city of Terre Haute is also seeing a boost after Indiana State University defeated Cincinnati at home last week to advance in the National Invitation Tournament, or NIT.
Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristin Craig told Inside INdiana Business the enthusiasm around the city is the culmination of work focusing on tourism and sports marketing.
“What we’re really focusing on [is] part of our ‘See You in Terre Haute’ community plan; one of its main goals is to increase our population here in West Central Indiana,” Craig said. “So we’ve been looking at this as an opportunity to really tell so many folks about what Terre Haute has to offer and why it’s a great place.”
Craig said the chamber has been implementing targeting ads and has reached over 200,000 people over the past two weeks. She said the effort is a two-pronged strategy to recruit both residents and visitors.
“Terre Haute has a long history as being kind of a sports destination tourism community. Whether you’re talking about the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course that brings in thousands of collegiate athletes every year, you’re talking about Griffin Bike Park, or some of the other great things that we have here, those all have contributed and really led to a very stable and profitable base of sports marketing in our area. So now our next goal is to translate that into long term residents.”
The fact that the Indiana State Sycamores were snubbed by the NCAA selection committee after a 28-win season has only amplified national attention on ISU and Terre Haute. First-term mayor Brandon Sakbun agrees that presents a unique opportunity to address efforts to increase population.
“The amount of times CBS, Pat McAfee, ESPN have mentioned Indiana State University, that’s worth more than every single billboard they have on I-70 right now,” Sakbun said. “We have seen a strong college athletic program have a positive effect on student enrollment at James Madison University, at Colorado University, [and] at Grand Canyon University. So, we’re looking at other programs…capitalize on athletic success for positive student enrollment.”
Craig noted that the city’s downtown restaurants have been packed over the last few weeks and other small businesses are taking advantage of the buzz being created around the city.
Indiana State goes on to play No. 2 Utah in the NIT Semifinals at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tueseday.
The buzz is building on momentum in downtown Terre Haute. The city recently inked a $69 million public-private deal to bring two new hotels to downtown and build skywalk connections to the recently opened Terre Haute Convention Center.
The basketball hype is also being felt elsewhere in the state. On Sunday, the Purdue Boilermakers advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 1980.
And Indianapolis is gearing up for more March Madness in future years. Next year, Indy will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games, the Men’s Final Four in 2026, the Women’s Final Four in 2028, and the Men’s Final Four returns for a record-tying 10th time in the Circle City in 2029.