Greenville Drive fuels nearly $300M economic impact over 10 years

A newly released report revealed that the Greenville Drive had a nearly $300 million economic impact on the Greenville region over a 10-year span.

As the Greenville Drive celebrate their 20th season in downtown Greenville, VisitGreenvilleSC is has shared results of an economic impact study regarding the Drive’s economic impact on the Greenville community and the redevelopment of the historic West End, a news release stated.

With an estimated 500,000 fans who experience events at Fluor Field annually –– whether for Greenville Drive baseball games or other year-round events –– the Greenville Drive has had a 10-year cumulative economic impact of nearly $300 million on Greenville and the surrounding region, the release stated.

Privately built in 2006 by the owners of the Drive, Fluor Field has been a catalyst for transformative real estate redevelopment in the West End of Downtown Greenville, the release stated. Since its development there have been 433 new business permits within a half-mile of Fluor Field and $277M in estimated new business construction.

“As we look at Greenville today, we are proud of the role that Fluor Field has played serving as the catalyst for the renaissance of the West End over the past 20 years,” Greenville Drive Owner and Chairman Craig Brown said in the release. “It has been nothing short of amazing to witness people of all ages and backgrounds gather at Fluor Field and the emerging West End Entertainment District to enjoy all that Greenville has to offer.”

In addition to Drive games, Fluor Field has been home to the Reedy River Rivalry between the University of South Carolina and Clemson University; Savannah Bananas; the Southern Conference Baseball Championship; Artisphere; Imagine Upstate; euphoria and hundreds of other local events each year, the release stated

“The team at the Greenville Drive and West End Events have been great partners in helping us secure conventions, meetings and other events, like the 2022 BASSMASTER Classic Kickoff Party. They go out of their way to create a unique experience for our clients and their attendees,” said Heath Dillard, president & CEO, VisitGreenvilleSC.

The impact report was compiled by Tom Regan, associate professor, University of South Carolina, Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.

2024 Fluor Field Annual Economic Impact:

• Direct Spending: $20.4M
• Total Economic Impact: $34.0M
• Wages/Income Generated: $15.7M
• Jobs supported: 265
• Taxes generated: $1.36M