NCGrowth completed two reports this year on the economic impact of tribally-hosted annual powwow events on the state of North Carolina. Each year several powwows are held across North Carolina, hosted by the eight state-recognized tribes. These weekend-long events feature dancing and drumming competitions and draw visitors and participants from across the country.
NCGrowth partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to study how these events affect the North Carolina economy. Onsite surveys were conducted with visitors and vendors; this data along with budget information provided by the tribes was used to construct an input-output model to estimate the total impact on jobs, wages and economic output.
The results show that in a single weekend these events contribute between $591,000 and $900,200 to the state’s economic output. They support 7-10 jobs with wages of $205,500 – $285,900. The reports further detail the drivers of this impact and strategies that tribes can pursue to increase the impact of powwows and other public events.
THE ANNUAL EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIAN POWWOW IN NORTH CAROLINA
THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS POWWOW: AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
THE ANNUAL LUMBEE POWWOW DANCE OF THE SPRING MOON IN NORTH CAROLINA
THE LUMBEE POWWOW: AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS