Rock the economy

This weekend’s Rock the Desert Elev8 is doing just that to the Permian Basin economy — by utilizing local resources and bringing in new customers.

“These people will go to our restaurants. Some are staying in our hotels and some of the go shopping at our stores,” Mike George, Odessa Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer, said.

“For just a weekend it’s tremendous,” he added.

Based on last year’s estimates George said he expects between $350,000 to $550,000 to be brought into the local economy due to the festival.

Rock the Desert executive director Mike Goeke said the festival’s organizers also help spark the economy by renting various equipment to put the festival together including tables, chairs, inflatable games and food.

However, he said, most supplies are donated by various businesses and individuals.

One business capitalizing on the event is Wal-Mart, which is even setting up a special section of the store devoted to Rock the Desert necessities.

Meanwhile the hotel industry is being overrun with out-of-towners looking to stay in Odessa hotels.

“They have increased our occupancies significantly,” Elizabeth Bickle, Comfort Suites general manager, said.

She said normally on weekends, which are among the motel’s slower times, they’re at 50 percent capacity, while this weekend’s numbers sit at 75 percent to 100 percent capacity.

Meanwhile, the MCM Grandé Hotel FunDome had 21 reservations due to Rock the Desert, but the hotel hasn’t been completely booked, manager-on-duty Victoria Morales said.

With hotels and motels loaded, restaurants preparing to serve large crowds and retailers gearing up for the busy weekend, the festival will leave its mark on Odessa-Midland. However, “We won’t know the (economic) impact until after the festival,” Goeke said.