OUR VISION, OUR FUTURE.
ECONOMIC RETURN. RETAIN FUTURE LEADERS. INVITE NEW INVESTMENT.
Our world is increasingly mobile, and our region is growing. To keep our bright talent – and future leaders – in our community and attract new businesses, quality of life through arts and entertainment is essential. Augusta is a world-class city deserving of a world-class arena.
Economic Impact
$1.5 BILLION
in direct, indirect, and induced spending
$656 MILLION
in new earnings
$36 MILLION
from sales, hotel, and beverage taxes
Regional Draw
Augusta is the economic and cultural center of an area an hour in almost any direction comprising 862,500 people, averaging $52,250 per household annually. Over 3 million people live within a two-hour drive, creating a tremendous regional draw for the City.
New Jobs Creation
The Augusta Entertainment Complex – James Brown Arena, Bell Auditorium, and associated meeting spaces – are estimated to generate:
Over 600
new full-time equivalent jobs
Over 400
construction jobs
over 3-year timeframe
Commitment of at least
30%
for local, minority, and historically underutilized businesses (MBE/DBE/WBE)
Existing Businesses/Capacity Building
The James Brown Arena will increase and diversify venue options in Augusta, but not in a way that competes with the Augusta Convention Center or local businesses. In fact, it will do just the opposite.
The New James Brown Arena will expand our opportunities from bigger conventions to awesome entertainment while building up our local businesses and expanding opportunities.
By offering more diverse events, community meeting space, and year-round programming in civic plazas and greenspace, the Augusta Entertainment Complex will activate this area of Augusta and feed new life into existing restaurants, shops, and businesses.