Statement of Governor McDonnell on Richmond's Selection as Host City of 2015 World Road Cycling Championships

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this morning following the announcement in Copenhagen that Richmond has been selected to serve as host city for the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships. 

"I want to congratulate Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, Tim Miller of Richmond 2015 and all the public and private sector individuals and groups who played a role in securing this major sporting event for Richmond and central Virginia. This international competition will spur economic activity in the state and help grow our economy. An economic impact study conducted by Chmura Economics & Analytics found that the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships is projected to generate more than $86 million within the City of Richmond and a total of $135 million for the entire Commonwealth. 500,000 spectators are expected to attend the nine-day event, with another 300 million tuning in to watch from all across the world. That all adds up to booked hotel rooms, busy restaurants, and priceless global marketing opportunities for the city and the Commonwealth. 

Today's selection follows yesterday's announcement that 2010 saw record international tourism spending in Virginia. Clearly, the Commonwealth is expanding its presence on the global stage, to the benefit of job creation and economic growth here at home. Our Administration is committed to keeping this momentum going through working with localities on projects such as this one, aggressively pitching Virginia businesses and products to overseas markets and consumers, opening trade offices in England, India and China and constantly looking for every opportunity to tell the world about our "Commonwealth of Opportunity." This is a great step forward in that endeavor. Again, I congratulate Mayor Jones and everyone involved for their tremendous success in landing this prestigious event for the Commonwealth of Virginia."

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