Less than a year from now, Hopkinsville will have the best seat to witness the first total eclipse seen from the continental United States in over 37 years.
The August 21st, 2017 solar eclipse will last only about 3 minutes, but is expected to draw in tens of millions in tourism revenue for local business as tourists flock in from around the world.
According to eclipse2017.org a small area near Hopkinsville will have the best viewing location in the world.
City Parks Director Tab Brockman there’s no way to know for sure how many tens of thousands of people will make their way in for festivities the weekend prior, but the economic impact will be huge.
“Hotels, restaurants, gasoline, lodging... a lot of folks are going to Air BnB already and putting their homes up for the week," said Brockman. "The economic impact could be between 20 and 50 million dollars. So it’s a once in a lifetime event, and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for Hopkinsville and Christian County.”
Earlier this year, Mayor Carter Hendricks presented a $33.4M city budget, about $100,000 of which goes towards preparations which Brockman says includes new signage, improving infrastructure and beautifying the city.
Brockman says hotel bookings went fast even though many were charging special event prices.
“The hotels are charging a supply-and-demand rate and they’re getting it, and asking for three nights lodging but really the solar eclipse is no different from the Super Bowl, or no different than the Kentucky Derby: the hotel rates go up," said Brockman. "Same thing here, and it hasn’t seemed to slow down the interest.”
Hopkinsville-Christian County Tourism and Visitors Bureau Director Cheryl Cook says they plan to launch a website next month listing the best viewing and camping sites throughout the county.
"This will be the biggest event Christian County's ever seen... or probably will ever see, if we get the numbers we've been told." said Cook.
Mandy Carney, owner of Eddy Creek Marina and Resort in Lyon County, says they started receiving reservations last year and were soon after full-up on bookings. She says the majority of reservations came from overseas, international visitors.
She says she also expects to see heavy boater and camper traffic throughout the lakes area, so county officials have started a task force of government and emergency management officials.
"To kind of mitigate the disaster -- and that's exactly what it's going to be if people don't prepare for this -- the immense amount of traffic," said Carney. "Schools have discussed not having class that day, we've looked at infrastructure, things we need to do to not just accommodate these people but also deal with the extra burden."
Carney says a low estimate has put Lyon County tourism for the eclipse weekend at 166,000.
The eclipse will last in totality 2 minutes and 40 seconds and will occur roughly around 1:25 pm CST, August 21, 2017.
