MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State Athletics generates more than $428 million in annual economic activity for the Manhattan community and the state of Kansas according to a thorough economic impact study performed by nationally-renowned Angelou Economics and the athletics department.
Angelou Economics, based in Austin, Texas, and who also recently performed a similar study at the University of Texas, utilized data from 2014-15 to conduct the study, which also revealed that more than 4,075 jobs resulted from the department’s impact.

“We know how electric America’s No. 1 College Town becomes when the Wildcats play, from filling Aggieville, downtown and area restaurants to creating a demand that has seen in upwards of 10 new hotel properties be constructed in the past several years,” Athletics Director John Currie said. “We set out to exhaustively study ourselves this summer on various fronts, and this study from Angelou Economics paints a solid picture of the overall value and impact K-State Athletics has on the local economy.”

 

Visitors from outside of the community have a tremendous impact as more than 428,000 people visit Manhattan each year for our various events, accounting for 257,000 hotel stays in the Manhattan and surrounding areas and an average expenditure per person equaling $289 over a 1.5-day stay, a total that continues to rise each year. That comes out to $133.4 million in expenditures annually for those visiting Manhattan. A total of $42.1 million was spent at Manhattan area restaurants and $42.5 million in hotels.

 

“Visitors thoroughly enjoy The Little Apple,” added Manhattan CVB Vice President Karen Hibbard. “Kansas State University is a huge draw – featuring Division I Athletics, educational offerings and exceptional entertainment.  Visitors also enjoy Manhattan’s unique dining venues, distinctive shopping locations and exceptional attractions featuring the Flint Hills region. The visitor lacks enough time to accomplish everything in one visit – hence causing the visitor to return time and time again, evidenced by the increased spending totals each year.”

 

“K-State Athletics is a major economic driver of the Manhattan economy, as well as for the greater state of Kansas,” said Angelou Vice President and General Manager William Mellor. “With nearly 430,000 in annual attendance for athletic events, K-State provides one of the largest and most consistent positive impacts to the economy, and much of that impact being concentrated in local businesses and retailers.”

 

The $210 million in athletic facility enhancements which provide a World-Class Student-Athlete Experience for K-State’s 450-plus student-athletes has not only benefitted coaches and student-athletes, but it also has played a significant role in the growth of the economy. Between 2011 and 2015, more than 2,585 jobs totaling $385.5 million in total economic output was accumulated due to the department’s facility enhancement projects.

“We feel like The Little Apple is a destination community for families and individuals of all ages, and the people of Manhattan – in addition to the 420,000-plus visitors annually – are what make our community so special,” Currie added. “A Carnegie Tier 1 Research Institution, a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program, the growth and expansion of Manhattan Regional Airport, the future arrival of the NBAF facility, a family-friendly yet vibrant community and loyal and dedicated fans and residents are all the reasons whyLivability.com ranked Manhattan as America’s No. 1 College Town – and people across the nation are beginning to take notice.”

A summary of the Angelou’s study, which was also presented by Currie to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Athletics last week, can be found at www.k-statesports.com or by clicking here. Kansas State University has performed a similar study and will be releasing University impact results later this fall.

 

– k-statesports.com –

 

 

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KENNY LANNOU
Associate A.D. for Communications | K-State Athletics

Preparations were under way Thursday morning for Jammin in JC in the downtown Junction City area.

Coordinator Bob Cevera confirmed generators have been brought in for electric power. “Sixth Street is blocked off from Jefferson to Washington. The stage will be here at one’clock.” Cevera noted Dave’s Electric has been working in Heritage Park to take care of electricity needs for barbecuers.

Jammin in JC is a blues and barbecue festival that will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, and continue Saturday afternoon and evening, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Geary County Party Democratic headquarters will open today ( Thursday ) at 5 p.m. at 425 North Washington, Suite B. Candidates have been invited, and are expected to attend.

Mark Powers, Area Manager for CarterEnergy-a division of World Fuel Services and owner of Handy’s LLC, Junction City, has been elected President of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas ( PMCA of Kansas ). This occurred during the association’s 102nd annual convention, September 19, at the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center in Junction City.

Powers has been a member of the association’s executive committee for the past four years, and serves on the Membership / Convention Committee and Convenience Store Committee for the association. His background includes owning convenience stores, liqour stores, carwashes, and commercial rental property.

Powers was recognized in 1989 by the State of Kansas as the Young Kansan of the Year for work done in his community.

PMCA of Kansas is a statewide trade association representing the independent marketing segment of the petroleum industry. PMCA membership consists of nearly 300 licensed petroleum distributors, convenience store owners / operators and gasoline retailers. In addition, PMCA’s associate member category is comprised of nearly 100 companies that provide programs and services to PMCA distributor and retailer members.

The association provides lobbying representation, educational programs and regulatory guidance, as well as other industry-specific services and programs to member firms.

 

 

World War II veteran Jim Sharp, Sgt. of the Guard at the Nuremberg trials, will speak at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home. The program is set for September 29 at 7 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium.

Sharp was a Sgt. of the Guard at the palace of Justice in Nuremberg, Germany, as top Nazi leaders were captured and put on trial at the Four Power International Military Tribunal. Following the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, he helped arrest civilian and military members of Nazi leadership. He was responsible for security in the courtroom, the prison cell, the exercise area and internal and external security. Sharp served as a Sgt. of the Guard during seven months of the trial. He secured autographs of nine of the Nazi leaders on trial.

A prison door from Nuremberg, on loan from the 1st Infantry Division Museum at Ft. Riley, will be on display during the program.

Born and raised on a farm in Morris County, Sharp graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He retired from Kansas Farm Bureau as Manager of Information Systems and started his own management consulting business specializing in management information systems.

The Red Cross blood drive wrapped up in Junction City on Wednesday.

Forty-nine units of blood were received, to the two-day blood drive total was 101.

The theme for the 21st annual Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will be “Light Up the Christmas Spirit.”

The parade is Friday, November 25 at 5:30 p.m.

The entry deadline is November 21.  Mail registration forms to Eagle Communications, PO Box 789, Junction City, KS 66441.

There will be a number of awards presented for parade entries. They incude the $200 Mayor’s Award and $150 Chamber, County Commission, Founder’s and Youth Awards.

Six people were injured in a Geary county accident Wednesday afternoon on I-70 approximately in the west bound lanes one-half mile west of the 295 exit on the southwest side of Junction City.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported at 12:00 pm, a 2003 STLG Dump Truck (KDOT) driven by Robert K Hayhurst, 52, Junction City, KS was in the left lane slowing down to make a U-turn through a divided cross over. The driver of the KDOT truck activated all emergency lights.

A 1999 Chevy Tahoe drived by Barbara A. Johnson, 73, Dorrance, KS was in the left lane behind the truck and observed the lights being activated and started to slow down.

A 2010 Honda Odyssey driven by Jamie E. Bratcher, 30, Chapman, KS was in the right lane, behind heavy traffic. The driver observed the KDOT truck had already turned in to the cross over but failed to see that there was another vehicle, the 1999 Chevy Tahoe in the inside lane. The driver of the Honda Odyssey pulled in to the left lane to pass slower traffic and noticed that the Chevy Tahoe was directly in front of her at a slower speed.

The driver of the Odyssey attempted to brake but rear ended the Chevy Tahoe.

The Chevy Tahoe continued on about 500 feet exiting the roadway and driving approximately 100 feet in to the north ditch.

The Honda Odyssey spun out in to the north ditch at the same location.

The driver of the Chevy Tahoe, Barbara A. Johnson and passenger Leander F. Johnson, 79, Dorrance, KS were both injured and taken to Geary Community Hospital. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

The driver of the Honda Odyssey, Jamie E. Bratcher was injured and taken to Geary Community Hospital. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Three minors in the 2010 Honda Odyssey, aged 4, 9 and 7 were all listed as injured. The 9 year old was taken to Geary Community Hospital, and was properly restrained at the time of the accident according to the KHP.

The 7 year old and 4 year old minor were not properly restrained in booster seats according to the KHP; the 7 year old was injured and taken to Salina Regional Health Center, the 4 year old was taken to Wesley Medical Center.

Robert K Hayhurst, the driver of the KDOT vehicle was not injured and was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.