Kemper Arena Replacement Would Give American Royal Complex A $15M Boost

By James Dornbrook
Replacing Kemper Arena with a new building would boost the economic impact of the American Royal complex by an estimated $14.9 million, according to an economic study conducted by the American Royal Board of Governors.
The study showed that the current footprint of the American Royal Complex generated about $60 million a year in economic benefit. Combined with a new arena, the complex would have a $75 million impact.
“We are pleased to confirm that plans are moving forward to make this a reality as we continue our private fundraising initiative and also our ongoing negotiations with the City of Kansas City,” Brant Laue, outgoing chairman of the Board of Directors and incoming 2012 Chairman of the Board of Governors, said in a release.
The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit corporation that has been in Kansas City since 1899. Each year more than 270,000 people attend events at the American Royal Complex, supporting 450 jobs. In 2012, the Royal was able to give $1.4 million in scholarship and educational awards.