Headlines

NASCAR Races Boost Local Business

Posted: 3:04 PM Jun 15, 2012
Reporter: Anthony Sabella

Every summer, thousands of people visit Jackson County for races at the Michigan International Speedway and towns from Brooklyn to Pleasant Lake feel the impact.

"We're bringing in people from outside Michigan and outside the United States and they're all coming to spend money," said Mindy Bradish-Orta, President of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

According to Bradish-Orta, many businesses receive a good amount of their yearly revenue from race weekends.

"One weekend worth of sales can equal multiple months of sales for some businesses," she said.

For grocery stores like Country Market in Brooklyn, they have to prepare in advance for an influx of over 100,000 people for each race.

"Sales usually increase 30 percent," said David Hejl, Front End Director of Country Market. "We make sure we order extra supplies, we do have a hot dog stand and we sell bratwurst."

Types of businesses that see a sales increase range from restaurants and hotels to golf courses.