SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new economic report shows the impact Golden 1 Center has on the city of Sacramento and the region. The numbers highlight billions of dollars brought in after the arena was built.
Businesses are reaping the benefits of the arena, which hosts more than 100 events every year.
About a decade ago, the vision for a Golden 1 Center was announced and the decision to build it moved forward. Since then, the entire region and downtown Sacramento businesses have noticed the impact.
"It's the reason I'm here. I mean it's been fantastic. I've been downtown for the last 35 years and I've been over at Malt & Mash since 2016 right (before) when the arena opened. We've seen great business from them when there's events, Kings games, concerts," said Bob Simpson, who owns three businesses downtown.
Those businesses include Malt & Mash Irish Pub, Social Nightclub and his newest, Townies.
He said the economic investment of Golden 1 Center is tremendous, and recently, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council released a report from 2022-2023, which they said proves it.
"$665 million a year in overall impact to the region is significant. Over 2,000 jobs, we have doubled in foot traffic around DOCO when there is an event and that happens well over a 100 times a year," said Troels Adrian, executive vice president of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
The report also found the arena contributed to $42 billion in visitor spending, $2.6 million in city tax revenue and $22 million in county, school, local and state taxes.
Adrian wants people to imagine what downtown would be today if Golden 1 Center didn't exist.
"If we hadn't done that, taken that very calculated and very reasonable risk and leapt into the future together as a city, as a region and as a civic community with the Kings, to retain the Kings here and build this really state-of-the-art global asset for the region," said Adrian.
The numbers are significant for Simpson who said he's experienced the growth firsthand, and he doesn't see it stopping.
"I'm very invested down here in the last three blocks. I've got substantial business, and I see it only getting better," said Simpson.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: History of the Sacramento Kings from Arco Arena I to Golden 1 Center
