Back to the Bricks helps Flints economy

Classic automobile faithful have come from all across North America including Ohio, California, and even Ontario, Canada as marked by the license plates in Downtown Flint. All have come to the 5th Annual Back to the Bricks classic car festival; a head turner with beautiful rides, and a shot in the arm for the local economy.
“This is unreal,” said Dave Lurvey, owner of the new Blackstone’s Pub and Grill downtown. His restaurant is packed every day of the big event. He does not mind that at all.
"It's been a long time coming here in Downtown Flint. The economic impact of this and The Crim and the Bikes on the Bricks; these festivals downtown tend to help businesses turn the corner. Without this the summer run is going to be a tad slow,” Lurvey said.
In a region hit hard by automotive job losses, plant closures, and people moving out, having a projected 250,000 people in Flint over the course of five days is great economic news to Jerry Preston, president of the Flint Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
"People come from all over,” he said. “We have groups of car clubs that come to stay in hotels and we know what the impact is when people come from outside the community. The greatest economic impact is when someone comes from far enough away they have to stay in a hotel,” Preston said.
Preston estimates the Bricks bring in $10-20 million for Flint and Genesee County each year. Having the event the same weekend as Detroit’s Woodward Dream Cruise has only attracted more people, Preston said.
“It works very well. People come here that go down to Woodward and Woodward comes up here. It works very well for both communities,” he said.

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http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=337505