Gearing Up For Common Ground
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Updated: 1:30 PM Jul 6, 2009
Gearing Up For Common Ground
The last minute preparations for Common Ground are underway, which could mean good things for Lansing's economy.
Posted: 6:58 PM Jul 5, 2009
Reporter: Chris Sutter
Email Address: chris.sutter@wilx.com
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The vendors are putting the finishing touches on their booths, the stands are being put in place, and the stage is being set up for Sheryl Crow, the Roots and David Cook to perform for all of Lansing to see.

Common Ground '09 is gassed up and ready to kick off Monday night, but what've you seen in the past may not be what you get this year. There is a new look to the festival-- mainly a brand new stage.

"It's a whole new venue, it's a whole new look, it's much more comfortable," Common Ground spokeswoman, Malinda Barr explains.

Perhaps just the tool the fest needs to get even more money flowing in Lansing's economy than in years past.

"We have over a 5 million dollar economic impact and it grows each year," Barr says.

Common Ground's "Birthday Bash" on Saturday should assist in that effort since tickets are only ten bucks on that night.

"Just about anyone in town can afford a ten dollar concert ticket to come be down in a safe, clean venue where you can absolutely have a blast," Barr says.

Barr adds that there's no doubt there will be more Michiganders in town for this year's concerts.

"People are doing a lot more things in Michigan. Staying here, staying in and around, spending money in our economy," she says.

That's music to vendor, Rich Kelley's ears.

"Since there are a wide range of people that come here-- there's more of an opportunity for us to get the product out in front of the people. We increase our monthly traffic about 20-25%," Kelley explains.

The kind of increase he says his antique business hasn't seen since this time last year.


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