Over the course of the next week-and-a-half, thousands of people will be flocking to Boise for the NCAA Tournament and Treefort Music Fest. The events also bringing in millions of dollars into our local economy.
Downtown Boise Association Executive Director Lynn Hightower says the growth over the last several years has allowed downtown to compensate for all those who may come into the city for events, such as the NCAA Tournament or Treefort, turning the area into an economic hub for the region.
“It is going to be a busy weekend in downtown Boise, but that is the new normal,” said Hightower.
The events sending thousands of basketball and then concert fans into downtown businesses.
“This week has already been way busier than we expected,” said Barbarian Brewing Owner Breanne Hovley.
“There's a lot of moms here to see their boys play basketball,” said American Clothing Gallery Owner Lil Kurek.
Kurek even ensured her store was stocked full for the plenty of basketball fans walking through her doors this weekend.
“When I went to market, I made sure deliveries were here by yesterday,” said Kurek.
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Just down the street, Barbarian is gearing up for the thousands of concertgoers expected at next week’s Treefort Music Fest.
“We have been planning for Treefort for about four months in how we're going to brew enough beer, get enough crazy releases out,” said Hovley.
All of these people in downtown is one of the reasons Hovley and her husband decided to open a downtown taproom.
“We just get way more foot traffic down here. Friday and Saturday nights, we get hordes of people coming in after dinner,” said Hovley.
The foot traffic is helping to turn downtown into a vibrant hot spot.
“That business creates a great vibe, a great energy and really, it's creating an economic vibrancy,” said Hightower.
Hightower added that’s because all the tax revenue from sales, alcohol, lodging, among others, helps other areas within the state.
“Those tax revenues, the variety of taxes that every business or visitor pays goes to the city, the county, and the state; and through public services, communities that receive income from the county, the state, are benefiting from some of this economic activity that is happening in a downtown,” said Hightower.
The energy only continues to feed off itself.
“It's the center. It's the hub. It’s the capital,” said Kurek.
“Downtown is growing. The whole beer, wine, food industry is evolving. We just thought it would be a good idea to jump in here,” said Hovley.
The Boise Visitors and Convention Bureau says the NCAA tournament is expected to generate about $15 million for the local economy.