West Kentucky Corporation, an economic development organization that works with 42 counties in western Kentucky commissioned a study for the western Kentucky BI-state area. Their study identified the potential of the new museum as a major destination tourist attraction of national military and historical importance with significant regional economic impact. The study also stated "This major museum facility is of scale and scope that it will serve as a destination attraction for the region. It has national significance, and the timing is right."
The feasibility study shows an estimated 400,000 visitors annually, comparable with other national museums with I-MAX -style theaters.
The study also showed the museum will have tremendous economic impact on the region to include:
$21.6 Million in additional annual local expenditures, broadening the local tax base and creating a "clean" source of revenue.
Creation of estimated 650 jobs in and around the museum complex as a result of additional tourism spending.
The current Don F. Pratt Museum is able at this time to only display 20% of its artifacts. There are fewer than 100,000 visitors per year to this facility. Some reasons for this are:
Access to museum is not easy for general public
People are unaware of a museum existing on Fort Campbell, (Marketing)
Location
All these can and will be overcome with the new museum. The access will be public, the location will be of such that anyone can and will come to see this world class facility.
The museum will be of a scale that marketing and advertising will allow us to increase our tourist.
Along with this will come the needs for our communities, Oak Grove, Hopkinsville, and Clarksville to have more hotels, stores, and other businesses. With this come more jobs and a strong economy for these three communities.
With any project the results will not be felt until the museum is built. There is no instant return on anything. Our communities will benefit from this investment as a result of the museum as a whole. Once this happens the time, money, and support given now will triple in revenues back to our communities when the building is standing.
