Survey Shows RBC Center Means Big Money For Local Economy

RALEIGH, N.C. — In the five years it has been open, the RBC Center has been good to the Triangle.

A new study is out, offering a look at how much money the sports and entertainment arena has meant for the local economy.

Whether through the North Carolina State University Wolfpack, the Carolina Hurricanes or rock musician Paul McCartney, the RBC has generated big money for the local economy.

The Centennial Authority, which runs the center, commissioned the study. A task force released the numbers to a group of business and community leaders.

The survey showed that, in 2003, the RBC meant more than $165 million to the local economy. $30 million came from visitors who stayed in local hotels and ate at local restaurants.

Most of that visitor traffic is a result of hockey and college basketball. The center also generated more than $12 million in state and local taxes and created nearly 3,000 full and part-time jobs.

Locals seem to appreciate the venue. Seventy percent of the residents and business leaders who were surveyed said the RBC is a valuable resource. Fifty-four percent said they are likely to attend an event in the next six to 12 months.

The survey also found that about 1.3 million people visited the RBC Center in 2003. More than 800,000 were from the Triangle.