The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, working with Elliott D. Pollack and Company, today released a report on the benefits of having MLB Spring Training facility in the Town of Gilbert – specifically attracting the only currently available Major League Baseball team, The Milwaukee Brewers.
At the request of local developer LGE Design Build, the Brewers put forth an outline of items to which they would be willing to commit in the analysis by Pollack. The team agreed to pay for the total cost of the construction of the new facility, plus its operations.
The report shows the proposed Facility and relationship with the Brewers could bring economic and quality of life benefits to the community at a reasonable and justifiable cost. Those benefits include:
- The creation of more than 1,900 jobs associated with the construction of the Facility and Mixed-Use Village. Construction alone will produce $267 million dollars in economic benefit
- The creation of nearly 2,500 jobs associated with the operations of the Facility and Mixed-Use Village, producing $278 million in annual economic benefit to the community.
- The use of the Spring Training Facility’s baseball fields by Town residents.
- The use of the baseball fields would partly satisfy the Town’s future demand for fields, reduce future capital expenditures by the Town, and eliminate any maintenance expenses that otherwise would be borne by the Town at public parks. The capital cost of four baseball fields is estimated at $7.1 million, a cost that would not need to be spent by the Town. The Spring Training baseball fields could replace the costly fields (due to extensive grading and removal of soil) at the planned Chandler Heights Basin Regional Park.
- Promotion of the Town’s tourism market and “Discover Gilbert” campaign; expansion of its hotel inventory.
- The Facility will serve as an event center that will host a variety of entertainment and cultural events.
- The Facility will serve as an economic development tool in attracting and retaining businesses in the Town.
The full report is available on the Chamber’s web site at www.gilbertaz.com/pollackEFIreport
“The Gilbert Chamber is encouraged by these findings and believes having a second economic study provides additional information for the Town Council to consider, ensuring due diligence in making these big decisions,” said Gilbert Chamber President and CEO Kathy Tilque. “Spring training has a regional benefit and positions Gilbert to potentially reap local revenues and expand our tourism attractions. It’s a decision that should be fully vetted to include long-term benefits and we look forward to getting additional details through that process.”
Under the concept, the Milwaukee Brewers will be required to pay for the construction of the Spring Training Facility at an estimated cost of $75 million and LGE would develop a Mixed-Use Village along with the team at a cost of $70 million, making the private sector investment approximately $145 million dollars. The team would be responsible for all operational, maintenance, capital repair and upgrade costs. The Town in exchange would pay a fee of $3.5 million per year over 20 years to offset the operations of the Spring Training Facility.
Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 700 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 52,000 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit gilbertaz.com.
