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Show 40% available to the general public in Utah. The proximity of the airport would reduce transportati on miles, and most venues would be accessible from four-lane highways. A temporary bus system is planned which would not depend on completion of the proposed light rail system. The number of existing hotel rooms • is considered to be sufficient, but the University of Utah's academic calendar would have to be adjusted to accommodat e housing the athletes there. Some opposition to the games comes from areas outside the Wasatch Front that wonder how the rest of the state will benefit. Revenue and impact projections have been made, based in part on Calgary's experience and in consultation with the Utah Office of Planning Budget, Economic Research Associates, and Arthur Young, consultant for the Seoul and Los Angeles summer games. Estimated revenues of $451 for the games themselves will come from TV /radio rights, the city and state sales taxes already mentioned (to be returned eventually to state and local government ), licensing and suppliers, ticket sales, and private and corporate cash and in-kind contribution s. SLWGOC expendituFe s for construction , office supplies, computer, legal and accounting servic~s wilt' be largely within Utah. Game-relate d activities such as hosting visitors, arts festivals, etc. also might benefit northern and southern Utah. The total benefit to the Utah economy is estimated at $925 million. Proponents state that over 20,000 person years of employment will be generated, and visitor spending will be $128-170 million. New tax revenues generated to state and local government of $38 million ($1Q million from out-of-state visitors) is projected. The formula for distribution of sales taxes is being shifted to return taxes more on the basis of population and less on point-of-sal e, which should benefit nonWasatch areas of Utah. Harder to quantify and more controversi al are , the benefits to Utah's image and visibility. The Olympics are mentioned by both Utah proponents and past Olympic city officials as a satisfying, unifying experience for the community, asside from economic consideratio ns. Benefits to tourism, which is already a large segment of the state economy, are expected. • But proponents also emphasize the potential for attracting industry and corporate recruiting. The mayor of Calgary reported the Olympic visibility has helped solve the problem of getting companies to at least consider coming to his city. The Utah Economic Developmen t Corporation reports that it is getting such inquiries already, based only on our selection by the usoc. Proponents believe all these developmen ts could be of benefit to Utah. Others wonder whether economic developmen t and the quality of Utah life might benefit ·more if the public funds committed to the games were invested in such areas as education. It is likely that there are several paths to prosperity, appealing to different individuals. The November 7 election results will indicate how many Utahns believe the 1998 Olympics is one of those paths. |
