Princeton National Rowing Association Rowing Regattas Contribute $10.16 Million in Total Sales to Mercer County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Jennifer Guhl

Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Marketing & Communications Director

(609) 924-1776, ext. 104

Jennifer@princetonchamber.org

Princeton, NJ December 7, 2015 – The Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA), jointly with the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau (PRCVB), have announced the results of an economic impact study for the major rowing regattas that took place in 2015.

The study found that $6.1 million in direct sales, $10.16 million in total sales, 3,254 direct jobs, 4,349 total jobs, and $569,402 in local and state taxes can be attributed to the major rowing regattas in Mercer County. . “Mercer Lake and Mercer County Park is recognized as one of the top rowing venues in the country. Because of this, we have some on the most prestigious events in the country that have chosen to bring their events here,” said Kristopher Grudt, Executive Director for PNRA. “The Princeton National Rowing Association is proud to be able to work with the Mercer County Parks to host these events which have a positive economic impact to our region.” These events include the Mercer Lake Sprints, Mid-Atlantic Junior Regionals, Collegiate Small Boat Challenge, and the IRA & SRAA National Championships.

“We are seeing a tangible return on our investment into our award-winning park facilities, as shown by the increased number of events, including these popular regattas,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “National events such as these attract thousands of people to discover Mercer County’s many cultural, historical and recreational offerings, creating significant economic opportunities for our region.”

Kevin Bannon, Executive Director of the Mercer County Park Commission commented the he is, “thrilled but not surprised to learn just how much economic impact the regattas at Mercer County Park are having. PNRA and the Mercer County Park Commission are great partners and Mercer Lake is as good as it gets. I look forward to hosting some prestigious events in the coming years.” The Princeton National Rowing Association is home to the world class Caspersen Rowing Center and has hosted the United States National Team Selection events, including the 1988, 1992, 2004, 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Rowing.

“As the area’s official destination marketing organization, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud that we are the national home for the sport of rowing,” said Peter Crowley, President & CEO of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Independent businesses, non-profit organizations, and downtown and commercial corridors all benefit from the positive economic impact rowing brings each year to Mercer County.”

The Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau – is a destination marketing organization that creates strategic alliances in an effort to drive tourism and increase economic growth and impact for the Princeton Mercer Region and is a program of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization committed to promoting business growth within the Princeton Region and surrounding areas.

With more than 3,000 individual contacts and more than 1,100 Member companies, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce membership is primarily focused in five central New Jersey counties and stretches as far as New York, Philadelphia and Canada. Learn more at princetonchamber.org or visitprinceton.org.

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