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County leaders: Ballpark of Palm Beaches brings return investment

Posted at 4:50 PM, Feb 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-28 17:50:24-05

More than 15 months of construction and now the gates are finally open.

Fans can finally lay eyes on the beautiful Ballpark of the Palm Beaches,the spring training home of the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.

People like Michael Bowers of DC attend every game.

That's positive news for the county.

With the ballpark now open there's a question on return investment.

Palm Beach County contributed roughly $85 million in tourism tax revenue.

Today county leaders say it was a no brainer. The facility is spurring on more economic development near the stadium.

"Create a return investment that will be lasting on generations to come," says Daniel Martell, former chief of the Palm Beach County Economic Council.

City leaders in West Palm Beach say they're already seeing some kind of a return.

"We heard one of the teams will be building a hotel," says Mayor Jeri Muoio.

So as the Nationals and Astros take the field for the first time, all signs point towards a financial home-run.