Bon Secours Wellness Arena Generates $2 Billion Economic Impact Over 25 Years

(Photo provided by the Hughes Agency.)

The Greenville Arena District (GAD), owner and operator of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, a cornerstone of entertainment and economic vitality in the Upstate, announced Dec. 16, 2024, that its cumulative economic impact has been more than $2 billion since it opened 25 years ago. 

The arena’s annual net new economic impact on the city of Greenville has more than doubled from $21.5 million to $55.8 million since the previous economic impact study in 2016.

Conventions, Sports & Leisure International (CSL) conducted the study as part of the master planning that’s underway. 

Key findings of the CSL report include: 

City of Greenville: The arena, including construction and ongoing operations, has driven $482 million in cumulative net new direct spending, contributing $875 million in total economic output. Over 750 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs have been supported, generating $250 million in personal earnings. 

Greenville County: The impact extends to $468 million in net new direct spending, yielding $850 million in total output and creating 760 FTE jobs, resulting in $243 million in personal earnings. 

State of South Carolina: Statewide, the arena has accounted for $402 million in net new direct spending, leading to $827 million in total output and 1,150 FTE jobs, with $284 million in personal earnings. 

The study also highlights the arena's success in attracting more than 600,000 attendees annually across concerts, sports, and community events, with notable visitor spending outside the facility on lodging, dining, and retail.

“We are extremely proud to contribute to the prosperity of Greenville and the entire Upstate by generating revenue, creating jobs, enhancing the quality of life, and helping position this vibrant destination as a premier hub for live events, concerts, and sports,” said Bon Secours Wellness Arena’s General Manager Beth Paul.

Since its opening in 1998, the arena has hosted more than 12 million fans and nearly 3,000 commercial and community events, including high-profile attractions like the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball tournament.

In 2024, this tournament generated an estimated $16 million in economic impact over five days, marking it as the city of Greenville’s largest event to date. 

The arena is self-supporting with a dedicated administrative team of 32 full-time professionals.

It remains one of the busiest venues of its size, hosting approximately 130 ticketed events annually alongside 75 to 100 community and nonprofit events.

In 2024, events at the arena resulted in approximately 28,000 hotel room nights from overnight visitors to the city. 

Bon Secours Wellness Arena is located at 650 N. Academy St. in downtown Greenville, S.C.

The Greenville Arena District is a special purpose district created by the General Assembly of South Carolina in 1940. 

Blackbaud Announces Impairment Charge Related to EVERFI Assets

Charleston, South Carolina-based Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), a provider of software for powering social impact, filed a Form 8-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stating that the company concluded a material pre-tax noncash impairment charge, which may be up to approximately $415 million, is required for its EVERFI asset group and will be recorded during the fourth quarter of 2024.

As previously disclosed, due to EVERFI performing below expectations, Blackbaud is considering a range of alternatives for EVERFI, one of which includes a potential divestiture of the business.

Officials said the impairment charge was determined to be necessary as part of this process.

"To comply with generally accepted accounting principles, we're planning to record this noncash charge in the fourth quarter," said Mike Gianoni, president, CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors. "We want to emphasize that EVERFI remains well positioned to support its customers and continue helping companies dedicated to social impact reach communities through custom education and workplace solutions for today's key issues.”

Gianoni added, “In addition, Blackbaud's core business remains strong, and we are committed to helping customers around the world use technology to drive meaningful social impact. As we determine our long-term strategic approach to the EVERFI business, we will continue to provide updates."

Blackbaud's software is built to accelerate impact in fundraising, nonprofit financial management, digital giving, grantmaking, corporate social responsibility and education management.

A remote-first company, Blackbaud has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India and the United Kingdom, supporting users in 100+ countries. 

More Than 2,000 Clemson Students Set to Graduate In December

More than 2,000 students are set to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Clemson University in December.

Doctoral Commencement and Commencement for bachelor’s and master’s graduates are both scheduled to be held in Littlejohn Coliseum.

Doctoral Commencement is set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, followed by Commencement for bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates across three ceremonies (9 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6 p.m.) on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Tickets are not issued, but graduates are asked to limit to a maximum of six guests.

Doors open two hours prior to all ceremonies.

Virginia Selected As Business Facilities’ 2024 State Of The Year

Robust workforce and education resources, infrastructure, and incentives programs landed the Commonwealth of Virginia the top spot in the annual economic development award from Business Facilities magazine.

South Carolina, which for 2023 broke its own export records, with total export sales reaching $37.3 billion, an 18 percent increase from 2022, was a top contender for the 2024 State of the Year award.

Since 2007, Business Facilities presents the annual State of the Year award based on overall business environment and success in economic development.

The evaluation conducted by the editorial team focuses on significant factors impacting corporate relocation and expansion decisions. 

Virginia is consistently recognized as having one of the strongest business climates in the United States, due in part to its strategic location, skilled workforce, and pro-business policies.

Business Facilities noted that in 2024, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), and their partners throughout the state continued taking action toward economic growth for the business community and residents.

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