Brazos County Expo generated about $66 million in fiscal 2024, Texas A&M economists report
Loading...
Summary
An economic-impact study presented May 20 to the Brazos County Commissioners Court found the Brazos County Expo Complex generated roughly $66.2 million in new spending in fiscal year 2024 and supported about 536 jobs; the increase was driven by larger non‑local events and longer hotel stays, the report says.
A Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economic-impact report presented to the Brazos County Commissioners Court on May 20 found the Brazos County Expo Complex generated about $66.2 million in economic output in fiscal year 2024 and supported an estimated 536 local jobs.
Jacqueline Foster, general manager of the Brazos County Expo and the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, told the court the fiscal‑year study (Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024) covered 164 events. Foster said the total economic impact for FY 2024 was “a little over $66,000,000,” a 39.5% increase from fiscal year 2023, and that the expo supports an estimated 536 jobs across the local economy.
Why this matters: county officials said the expo’s ability to attract visitors from outside Brazos County brings new dollars into the local economy through hotel stays, food, retail and event spending. County leaders and extension specialists framed the expo as a driver of tourism and small‑business activity in the region.
Dean McCorkle, senior extension program specialist in agricultural economics, and Dr. Crystal Thomas, extension specialist and assistant professor, presented the methodology and key findings. The team surveyed more than 2,400 attendees and used a cleaned sample of about 2,250 responses for the analysis; they excluded in‑county visitors and outliers to focus on net new dollars brought into Brazos County by nonlocal visitors.
Key findings presented to the court: - The FY 2024 total economic impact was roughly $66,200,000, about 39.5% higher than FY 2023. The authors attributed much of the increase to larger nonlocal events in 2024. - The expo supported an estimated 536 jobs across the local economy. - The dog show held in fiscal 2024 generated unusually large attendance and long average stays, producing about $13.2 million in visitor spending alone. - The average hotel stay among nonlocal visitors in FY 2024 was 3.8 days, up about 1.3 days from FY 2023; overall person‑days increased, contributing to higher spending. - The team reported a direct output effect of about $44.6 million as part of the total impact when applying input‑output multipliers.
Method and caveats: McCorkle and Thomas said they used survey data collected by expo staff about lodging, length of stay, and spending categories, and then applied regional input‑output multipliers using IMPLAN software to estimate indirect and induced effects. The presenters said they excluded local resident spending from the “new money” calculation so the report focuses on dollars entering Brazos County from outside the region. They also noted the number of private, local events (weddings, graduations) has declined relative to prior years, while large visiting events grew in 2024.
Commissioners’ response: County officials thanked the expo staff and extension team for the long‑standing partnership and for the report, which they said demonstrates the expo’s role in attracting visitors and supporting local businesses. Commissioner Wanda J. Watson thanked staff for the behind‑the‑scenes exposure and said the presentation educated court members about the expo’s broader impact beyond agricultural events.
Where to find the study: presenters said the report and supporting materials are available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Department of Agricultural Economics and the county’s community and economic development resources.
The court took no formal action on the report; the presentation was informational.
