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Several important new initiatives and projects are making the county better than ever. Here are just a few.
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Home Field Advantage
Kent looks to Milford for a new athletic complex that will become an economic boon to the county.
After losing out on one too many opportunities to host a major sporting event due to a lack of venue, Kent County is going for the gold. The Delaware Sports Commission formed in 2009 to recruit so-called long field tournaments for the county. That could mean more lacrosse, field hockey and soccer tournaments.
“We’re in our infancy,” says Cindy Small of Kent County Tourism. “But the county holds a long-term lease on 90 acres along [Del.] Route 1 near Milford. The plan is for a sports complex offering 14 fields to attract out-of-state sporting events.”
The county is shooting for a ready date of 2012 or 2013. The complex should provide a trickle-down for shopping and retail, in addition to complementing meeting and convention business.
Small estimates that two or three sports tournaments a season could generate a local economic impact of up to $3 million. “Our Tournament of Bands back in 2007 brought in $3.5 million,” Small notes, indicating the sports complex revenue estimates might turn out to be on the conservative side.
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