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Chamber coalition driving millions in growth easy as ABCs

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Arena Hub Plaza offers strong lineup of retail stores

WILKES-BARRE TWP. &#8212; The Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza serves as a major economic engine for Luzerne County and the surrounding counties, drawing more than 360,000 visitors and residents annually.In 2015, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance released its Economic Impact Study of the SMG-managed Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza and impact has kept increasing since.&#8220;The Arena has an estimated impact of over $60 million and supports 1,100 jobs, &#8221; said Steven N. Zaricki, Research &amp; Information Manager at NEPA Alliance. &#8220;Having a recreational asset, such as the Arena, helps support the regional economy, while also assisting us in attracting new businesses to the area.&#8221;According to the study conducted in 2015 by Zaricki and NEPA Alliance, the economic impact analysis, which was developed by using IMPLAN&#174;, consisted of several distinct scenarios including:&#8226; The overall impact of the operations of the Arena, which includes the impact from visitors traveling from outside the impact region.&#8226; The impact from the construction and operations of the newly proposed concourse expansion including two new concessions areas and full service bar, which opened in 2016.&#8226; The negative impact that would be evident if the Arena did not exist.&#8226; The impact of operation and visitation in 2013 showed the following results:&#8226; Total estimated output or economic activity of $62.6 million.&#8226; Total estimated employment supported of 1,141 jobs, which are either full-time of part-time.&#8226; The total estimated labor income was $22.6 million.&#8226; Total estimated taxes of $9.9 million, which consists of an estimated $5.0 million in federal taxes and an estimated $4.9 million in state and local taxes.Brian R Sipe, SMG General Manager at the Arena, said in the 20 years the venue has been open, not only has the Arena Hub Plaza succeeded, but various restaurants and an increasing number of hotels have proven that the Arena has been a large economic contributor to the region.&#8220;Hundreds of thousands of people come to our venue every year for WBS Penguins Hockey, a concert, a family show or a graduation of a friend or family member,&#8221; Sipe said. &#8220;As we just had our fastest sellout ever on record with Kenny Chesney, we move into 2019 in a strong position to continue to break records and make NEPA a great place for entertainment.&#8221;The NEPA Alliance was contracted by the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, the governing body of the Mohegan Sun Arena, in May of 2014 to conduct the study on behalf of the Authority.&#8220;The Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza has made a significant impact on our regional economy and community,&#8221; said LCCCA Board Chairwoman Donna Cupinski. &#8220;We are proud to have teamed with the NEPA Alliance in developing this comprehensive study. We are confident the Arena will continue its positive impact for years to come.&#8221;Sipe said SMG is proud to manage such a fantastic facility that not only brings great entertainment to the region, but that also makes such a significant financial impact on Northeastern Pennsylvania.&#8221;We continue to show the world that the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza is the definition of an excellent entertainment venue,&#8221; Sipe said.About the Northeastern Pennsylvania AllianceThe Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA Alliance) is a regional multi-county economic development agency providing leadership, planning, expertise and services to regional and local governments, businesses, institutions and individuals through innovative and beneficial collaborations and partnerships to enhance the economic development and quality of life of the area.The NEPA Alliance was organized in 1964 by the private sector that saw the need for a regional approach to economic and community development issues within the region. The NEPA Alliance is now a public/private sector partnership with representation from government and non-governmental private sector organizations.The goal of the NEPA Alliance is to provide a quality menu of programs and valuable services that best match the needs of our partners and add value to our region.The NEPA Alliance carries out its mission within the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne, which have a total population of 1,015,692 people (according to estimates provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2014) and covers 4,476 square miles.The NEPA Alliance is one of seven regional agencies called Local Development Districts (LDDs). LDDs help coordinate community and economic development activities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.The NEPA Alliance is guided by a fifty (50) member Board of Directors, headed by Board Chairperson, Mary Beth Wood, of which 45 members have voting capabilities. Members of the Board of Directors represent industries, labor, governments, general businesses, professionals and citizens in each of the seven counties that the NEPA Alliance serves.Jeffrey K. Box, President &amp; CEO of the NEPA Alliance, provides executive leadership working with state and federal legislators to expand and explore opportunities that will be beneficial for northeastern Pennsylvania.About the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey PlazaMohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza is owned by the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, a government body appointed by Luzerne County.The arena is managed by SMG, the world leader in entertainment and sports facilities management with catering and concessions services provided by SAVOR at Mohegan Sun Arena.The arena opened on November 13, 1999 when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League made their debut.Originally called the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena, the facility became First Union Arena at Casey Plaza when First Union Bank purchased the naming rights. The name changed to Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in 2002 after a corporate merger. In January 2010, Downs Racing, LP purchased the naming rights and changed the venue name to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.The arena&#8217;s primary tenant is the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team, an American Hockey Leagueaffiliate of the National Hockey League Pittsburgh Penguins.With over 8,000 permanent seats and a capacity of nearly 10,000 for concerts, the arena has played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Elton John, Cher, Neil Diamond, James Taylor, Carole King, Barry Manilow, Janet Jackson, The Eagles, AC/DC and Simon &amp; Garfunkel.About SMGFounded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 240 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theatres, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place &amp; Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston&#8217;s NRG Park and the Mercedes Benz Superdome. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide.For more information visit www.smgworld.com.<style>
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<div class="neCaption">Competitors compete during a recent Arenacross event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_arenacross.tarutis.jpg</photo0><caption0>Competitors compete during a recent Arenacross event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. </caption0><photoCredit0>Times Leader | File Photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Bill O&#8217;Boyleboboyle@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta>Arena eventsDisney On IceArenacrossWWE LiveMonster JamLittle Big TownHarlem GlobetrottersMercy MeJudas PriestKevin HartPIAA Basketball District 2 ChampionshipsPA Junior WrestlingHome and Garden ShowNEPA Employment ExpoMarvel Universe LivePA1 CallNEPA SynodWWE Smackdown LiveTrump RalliesJehovahs WitnessesBull RidingNewsboysJake OwenSesame Street LiveBig Church Night OutJohn FogertyTSOLynyrd SkynyrdPaw Patrol LiveToys for Tots SkateHarlem GlobetrottersUpcoming Events www.mohegansunarenapa.comDisney on IceJustin MooreSteve Martin/Martin ShortCompassion International RoadshowTobymacKenny Chesney (fastest arena sellout)Alabama with Charlie Daniels Band</factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</shirttailMeta></div>

NEPA Alliance: Economic impact of Mohegan Sun Arena continues to grow