Announcements   Let’s Bring the CUBS to Collier County A Cubs spring training and baseball operations facility in Collier County will be the finest facility in major league baseball. It will increase tourism, add revenue to our local businesses, improve property values, and become one of our priceless community assets. Collier County will realize significant economic benefit. The chosen site will fit well into the fabric of our existing community as a year-round destination, with specific consideration given to traffic and environmental concerns. *Statistics from the 2009 Lee County Spring Training Study. (Based on the 6-week spring training period and for non-resident attendees only. Actual impact from Cubs will be greater due to 50% higher attendance than Red Sox and full-year operations).  Local Economy Here is a comparative example: Out-of-town Red Sox fans directly spend $23.9 million into the Lee County economy, supporting 486 jobs and $11.9 million in annual household income. Red Sox generate $1.3 million in local government revenues and $2.5 million for the State. For the 6-week spring season alone! Collier County, like all major counties in the nation, is facing a budget challenge. The Cubs are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase revenue in a clean and healthy way, paid for by visitors and not by residents Tourism The Cubs will refill our hotels in the spring and bring travelers to Naples throughout the year. In Mesa AZ, the Cubs are thriving year-round.  Resort and sports travelers will have yet another compelling reason to try our community. Spring training is an important draw in influencing travelers. 57% of non-resident attendees chose Lee specifically for baseball and 51% say they plan to visit at other times of the year. The Cubs enter 70 million homes on four continents via WGN. Collier County will receive an unprecedented amount of free advertising via Cubs press and televised spring games.   Real Estate This will stimulate our economy, encourage relocation, raise the bar for newer construction, and bring positive national attention to our county. Facility and Proposed Funding The facility will be leased and maintained by the Cubs under a 20 to 30-year contract. Private investors will build the “Wrigley Village” commercial district. The facility will consist of a 15,000-seat stadium, practice fields, major and minor league clubhouses and the Cubs baseball operations headquarters.  Collier County tax-payers will not pay for this facility; funding is proposed to come from private sources, fees paid by tourists, and state funds set aside for baseball. No county sales tax or ad valorem (property) tax is proposed to fund this project. Tourists currently pay a tax when they stay in hotels and other accommodations. This revenue is used for community amenities and tourism initiatives. The tourists and guests who pay the tourist tax could provide a component of the cost to fund our community facility.  Because of the Cubs, total tourist revenue will increase dramatically and there will be more revenue for our beaches and museums! Community The facility will become one of the crown jewels of our community; adding to our status as a unique and special destination. Imagine our kids playing ball on the same field as the Chicago Cubs! Outside of spring training, this complex will host adult and Little League baseball and softball tournaments, concerts, art festivals and special events. Around the stadium will be a “Wrigley Village” main street with restaurants, specialty retail, and baseball-themed attractions turning this into a year-round destination.