Last Tuesday, Rotary members held their weekly luncheon meeting at the Kirbo Center. Rotary President Tommie Howell addressed last week’s meeting with District Governor Gordon Owens and thanked everyone who helped with the events during Owens’ arrival.

Next, Chrystal Hines, Community Affairs Director, and Amanda Glover, Bainbridge Downtown Development Authority Director, took to the podium to discuss the progress of Downtown Bainbridge.

Glover discussed downtown revitalization, highlighting that 11 new businesses have opened, creating 50 jobs. The “Downtown by the Numbers” report includes:

•Five private buildings were rehabilitated with an investment of $6,433,237.

•Six properties sold with a $2,429,000 investment in property.

•Four public improvement projects with an $11,940 public investment.

•Facade grant investment by DDA of $4,500.

•No in-fill developments.

•Downtown square footage improved by 53,448 sq ft, with 12 residential units added.

•146 events were held downtown with 1,301 volunteer hours and around 30,000 attendees.

•Installation of new way-finding signage to connect downtown to Chason Park.

Glover continued her discussion on the Downtown Patrol Zone. Chief Redell Walton of Bainbridge Public Safety described “it as a proactive step in ensuring Bainbridge remains safe and inviting. By dedicating officers to a specific zone, we reinforce our commitment to public safety and community engagement.”

Downtown Development will implement a new program this summer from June to August called the “Downtown Loyalty Card.” By spending $200 shopping and dining in Downtown Bainbridge, participants can win one of three exclusive prizes.

Hines discussed the economic impact of tourism, noting:

•$54.4 million in visitor spending.

•7.7% of jobs are sustained by visitor spending.

•$4.3 million in state and local taxes.

•$414 equivalent in tax savings for every household.

•$9.9 million in retail, $9.1 million in transportation, $12.9 million in lodging, $8.8 million in recreation, and $13.8 million in food and beverages.

This analysis was calculated and commissioned by Explore Georgia and conducted by Tourism Economics LLC. It uses multiple data sources, such as the US Census, STR, Longwoods International, Georgia Department of Revenue tax data, and employment and wage data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is available for five years and can be viewed at the state and country levels.

Bainbridge has three main sports tourism activities: tennis, fishing, and disc golf. In Tennis, Bainbridge won a bid to host the USTA State Championship for two years in 2022, bringing in over 500 tennis players from the state. The total visitor spending was $360,000, with $170,000 on hotel stays, $90,000 on food, and $100,000 on miscellaneous expenses.

Last year, Bainbridge hosted 12 fishing tournaments at the Earle May Boat Basin, including the Ray Scott Championship, Major League Fishing, Florida BASS Nation, Georgia High School Athletics, and BASS Nation Kayak. An estimated 17,000 boats took off at the Mega Ramps, resulting in $2,245,000 in total visitor spending, including $580,000 on hotel stays, $305,000 on food, $1,020,000 on gas, and $340,000 on miscellaneous expenses.

The overview for disc golf includes a tournament run by Southeast Disc Golf Events (SEDGE), which resulted in 72 players and a total purse of $25,327, with added prizes from Visit Bainbridge. The tournament impact led to YouTube coverage provided by ACE Run Production, with more than 100,000 views on nine videos.

Hines and Glover then held a Q&A session for the Rotary members before Tommie Howell ended the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Creed.