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Justice: Stop playing politics and remove $1.75 million sponsorship for Greenbrier Classic from state budget

 

 

Release from the Jim Justice Campaign:

Tickets to PGA event will be free for all grounds badges

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, businessman Jim Justice called on the legislature and the Governor to remove the $1.75 million sponsorship for The Greenbrier Classic from the budget.

For the $1.75 million sponsorship, the State received rooms, food, entertainment, skybox, tents, etc. Which cost The Greenbrier approximately $1 million to provide.  The balance, $750,000, went toward TV and other costs.  All the $1.75 million was used by our State to lure investment opportunities and tourism to West Virginia–for example, P&G.  Justice has made it clear that he does not want West Virginia’s support for the PGA event to be used as a political football, or another excuse for Bill Cole not to do his job.

 

“My dream has always been to change the image of and bring opportunity to our state, and that’s why I wanted to bring the PGA Tour to West Virginia, said businessman Jim Justice. “The budget mess we’re in now is exactly what’s wrong with politics. I am not going to let politicians delay the budget or bash me over the greatest economic/ PR opportunity West Virginia has ever seen.”

 

Each year, Jim Justice spends from $9 million to $13 million out of his own pocket to put on this event for all of us in West Virginia. He will not let politics as usual stand in the way of The Greenbrier Classic or the positive attention it brings to West Virginia. Jim Justice has shown his commitment to showcase the state to the world by putting in millions of his own money.

 

 

The Greenbrier owner announced that the 2016 Greenbrier Classic will be free and open to the public. In order to pull it off and avoid more political games in Charleston, there will be no concerts this year.

 

Justice added, “In these tough times, I am doing my part by finding a way to make it all work and promote our state to the world. I’ll be a governor who won’t play politics when it comes to bringing more people and jobs to WV. The politicians need to do their job and balance the budget; I can’t be the only one creating jobs and promoting our greatness. Studies show that for every dollar spent by our State to promote tourism at least six dollars are returned.  I refuse to listen to the Republican leaders beat up on me. Therefore, I am refusing the state’s participation.”

 

The economic impact of The Greenbrier Classic is over $111 million. Also, the event lured the new the Procter & Gamble facility to the state, which projects to someday employ approximately 2,000 people. The tournament is viewed by over 21 million people on TV, and airs in 226 countries and territories.

 

He concluded,” This year’s Classic will be better than ever. It will attract even more tourists from around the world to visit West Virginia. While the legislature is busy playing politics with the budget, I will continue to bring new investment and jobs to West Virginia.”

 

Justice hopes the concerts will resume in years to come.

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