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V O L . X X I I N O. X X I I I O C T O B E R 3 , 2 0 1 6 22 B owling and basketball may not be the most obvious economic development strategies. But when the Professional Bowling Association League came to Portland's Bayside Bowl for a six-day event in April 2015 and 2016, it had a $1.5 million economic impact each year. It drew the world's top 40 bowlers, plus more than 1,000 specta- tors. ey fi lled hotel rooms, ate at restaurants and shopped long before the tide of summer visitors came to town. And the event, broadcast on ESPN, put Portland in the spotlight before 2 million viewers. e America East Women's Basketball Tournament, which will be held at the Cross Insurance Arena in March 2017 and 2018, is expected to have a $3.3 million economic impact each year, based on event history and industry pro- jections provided by the Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Maine Sports Commission. It is expected to draw more than 300 players and staff and more than 13,600 fans. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Portland was where opportunity on the business side met quality of life. I was able to invest in the business instead of a New York or Boston lifestyle. Brian Corcoran CEO and founder Shamrock Sports & Entertainment, Portland Events help drive the economy Brian Corcoran is filling hotel rooms, restaurants and event spaces B y J e n n i f e r V a n A l l e n THERE IS THERE IS A DIFFERENCE A DIFFERENCE THERE IS Because Construction Management Design/Build General Contracting Engineering Construction Management Design/Build General Contracting Engineering Sheridan Sheridan Construction Construction www.sheridancorp.com www.sheridancorp.com Fairfield Fairfield Portland 207-453-9311 207-453-9311 207-774-6138 Visit us at Momentum Convention on November 9 at booth 331P