Reboot Charlotte: Lake Norman Area to Cash In on DNCLake Norman businesses hope many delegates and dignitaries of the DNC take the short drive up I-77 to visit.Related ContentCORNELIUS, N.C. - The Democratic National Convention will bring plenty of receptions and VIP parties to uptown Charlotte. The Lake Norman area wants to provide an alternative to the big parties. "We're only 15 miles from the convention center, what better location and of course we've got this gorgeous lake that is such a draw for folks," says Visit Lake Norman's Courtney Wolfrom. The group says they've created trip planning packages for hotels, restaurants and events. CS Rentals of Lake Norman is already getting call about pontoon and jet ski rentals for September 2012. Although temperatures are still warm, once kids go back to school business slows. They expect the DNC will be a nice reboot. "June and July is mainly our busiest times but anything like that (the DNC), anything big around here definitely you see a lot more people," says Derek Fearheiley. The extra visitors could lead to a direct economic impact of 1-2 million dollars for the Lake Norman area. The long term impact is even larger because it puts the region in front of the business world's decision makers and their spouses and families. All other things equal, who wouldn't want to go to the lake? "Their family is going to be happy here. They're going to like living here, they're going to like going to school here and shopping," says Jerry Broadway of the Lake Norman Regional Economic Development Corporation. In order to take advantage of being in the business spotlight for years to come, Broadway believes widening I-77 and completing I-485 will be key. Leaders at the lake hope successful tourism around the queen city thanks to the DNC will create economic waves for years to come. |
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