American Rescue Plan Act Impact Series 4: Mobile Sports Authority's Portable Courts

Posted on: Apr 10th, 2024 | Announcements COVID-19

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. -- With the assistance of American Rescue Plan Act funds from the Mobile County Commission, the Mobile Sports Authority was able to bring three new sporting events to the area for the first time in 2023 because it had the equipment needed to secure these events.

Adding more competitive sporting events brings visitors to the area and creates new venues for local teams to compete without traveling.

The Mobile Sports Authority serves as a clearinghouse and main point of contact for all sports and sports-related activities in our area. The group works closely with sports events rights-holders, area businesses, facility representatives, and community leaders to aid in recruiting and promoting sporting events in Mobile County.

The Mobile County Commission allocated $530,000 to the Mobile Sports Authority, with $430,000 of that earmarked for 10 new portable basketball courts and $100,000 for tournaments. According to Executive Director Danny Corte, these courts were equivalent to 15 volleyball courts.

About half of the teams competing in the new summer events were local. Corte estimates the three new indoor events brought in an additional 5,400 visitors to the area and generated an economic impact of $3,871,232.

“These events allowed our local teams to stay in town for top-notch tournaments against traveling teams that bring new visitors to our area, which leads to increased spending on accommodations, dining, transportation, and other services boosting the revenue of local businesses,” said Corte.

This is one of the many local projects made possible by the Mobile County Commission through its ARPA allocation. To learn more, go to https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/american-rescue-plan-act-of-2021/.

Photos courtesy of the Mobile Sports Authority. Interview by A. Henderson.

CLICK HERE for impact article 1: Journey to Recovery

CLICK HERE for impact article 2: Semmes Public Safety Complex

CLICK HERE for impact article 3: Boys & Girls Clubs Summer Programs