Cape Girardeau businesses gain from winning teams

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - It’s no secret college athletics can supply an injection of money into the local economy. And that’s especially true when the teams are winning.

Downtown businesses are anxiously awaiting this weekend’s football home opener between Southeast Missouri State University and Southern Illinois University.

Chuck Martin, Executive Director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, says certain events, like homecoming and family weekend, tend to draw bigger crowds.

"Certainly we see a big uptick in the amount of people that are staying in our hotels, eating in the restaurants, filling their tanks at our gas stations, and shopping at our shops," Martin says. "So there is a very direct correlation, with those bigger events, especially."

Martin says certain rivalries, such as Murray State or SIU, can generate more revenue because they bring a bigger fan base.

However, this spike in fans only helps certain businesses because fans from schools like Southern Illinois do not stay in hotels.

Drew Yount, KRCU

Posted in: Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau,Chuck Martin,Drew Yount,Southeast Missouri State University athletics