Clarksdale hosts a modest economic development event Friday night and we host another one next week.
The Wildcat football team takes on South Panola in their new stadium Friday night. And while there will be a line of cars rolling down the highway to Clarksdale this week, it will be the home crowd that fuels this economic development event. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
And let’s not forget Lee Academy hosts homecoming on Sept. 24, Coahoma County takes on Palmer Oct. 2, and Coahoma Community College hosts its first home game Oct. 25.
Yes, football is a little crazy this fall with COVID-19, but as any running back will tell you, sometimes you just lower your head and push on through.
Your Clarksdale Press Register will run photos and a story of these games, and that is nice, but it’s the dollars that these games bring to town that are even nicer.
Let’s face it – a key part of Clarksdale’s economy is tourism and we need to once again start pushing it. And if we are going to capitalize on out-of-town dollars we are going to have to capitalize on every event that brings people to town.
Sports events not only brings kids to our fair city, but parents and grandparents who buy gasoline for the trip back and forth or grab a quick bite to eat in a restaurant. And don’t forget a possible shopping trip to local stores before the game for Momma.
We hope local restaurants, hotels and businesses will have the vision to glimpse what these events mean to our economy and do more to cash in on sports events. Maybe they want to stay open a little later on game night.
We hope our community recognizes sports events include basketball games this winter and both softball and baseball next spring.
Our community needs to put its best foot forward anytime company comes to town.
A unified, concerted effort involving local media, economic development organizations and community leaders with the goal of attracting out-of-town dollars will benefit us all.
Let’s show a little teamwork and play ball.
