Extra funds food and beverage tax raises could be used for amateur sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new food and beverage tax would raise twice as much money as the city needs for Bank of America stadium upgrades.

The mayor and some council members say they want to spend the extra money on developing amateur sports.

Rock Hill is a city that already has big plans for amateur sports.

The Riverwalk Development will center on sports.

A brand new velodrome cycling track hosted the national championships last year with 4,000 attendees, and will again this summer.

"It increases our tax base. Business-like restaurants and hotels see the perks of this" says York County Sports Sales Manager Auvis Cole.

Last year, amateur sports had $17 million in economic impact in Rock Hill.

The manager at nearby Fast Lane Grill says soccer tournaments at Manchester Meadows down the street draw customers from all over America.

Sometimes entire teams come.

"This past weekend we had 37 at one time. That is a great impact for our business " says Michel Greene, Fast Lane Grill general manager.

It's action Charlotte wants in on by possibly renovating Bojangles Coliseum or developing other complexes to lure that same business.

WSOC