Beaver Dam’s growing popularity as a tourism destination is paying big dividends, with a new study showing the city’s concerts, festivals, and events created more than $22 million in regional economic impact in 2024.
Commissioned by the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC), the report analyzed economic activity tied to events at Beaver Dam Amphitheater (The DAM), citywide festivals, sports tournaments, and other local attractions. Using IMPLAN economic modeling, the study measured both direct visitor spending and the resulting ripple effects across an eight-county region.
According to the study, tourism-related events generated $10.48 million in total output within the City of Beaver Dam and $22.4 million in broader regional economic impact across western Kentucky.
The local impact included $6.68 million in value added, $1.94 million in labor income, and 59 jobs supported. Regionally, the numbers increased further, with $13.3 million in value added, $5.6 million in labor income, and 145 jobs supported.
Beaver Dam Mayor Paul Sandefur said the report confirms what city leaders have believed for years — that a focus on destination-quality events has yielded real, measurable benefits.
“This study clearly shows that Beaver Dam is generating $10.4 million in local economic output while driving more than $22 million in regional economic impact,” Sandefur said. “What happens here benefits not only our city, but communities throughout western Kentucky.”
He added that tourism’s impact extends well beyond the venue gates.
“Visitors come here for concerts, festivals, and tournaments, and that spending spreads to hotels, restaurants, retail, and service businesses across the region,” he said. “That’s the power of tourism done right.”
Heath Eric, President and CEO of The Eric Group, which books and manages concerts at The DAM, said the majority of attendees are coming from outside the area — and staying overnight.
“Beaver Dam Amphitheater consistently attracts audiences from well beyond our communities — generally from a 2 to 6 hour radius,” Eric said. “While Beaver Dam captures the direct activity at the venue and local level, many of our overnight guests stay in Owensboro hotels, as well as in Central City, Bowling Green, and other surrounding communities.”
That pattern, he noted, aligns directly with the study’s regional findings.
“Our concerts and festivals are filling hotel rooms, restaurants, and businesses across the region, not just on show nights but throughout the weekend,” Eric said. “It’s a true regional tourism ecosystem.”
Looking ahead, a planned expansion of The DAM — expected to be completed in 2026 — is projected to generate an additional $2.44 million in regional economic output. That includes $1.36 million in value added, $674,000 in labor income, and 16 more jobs supported across the region.
“This is a smart investment in Beaver Dam’s future,” Sandefur said. “By continuing to grow our tourism infrastructure, we’re creating sustainable economic opportunities that benefit residents, businesses, and the entire region.”
The study positions tourism not as a supplemental benefit, but as a core pillar of Beaver Dam’s economic strategy.
“Tourism is no longer an added benefit — it’s a strategic driver for Beaver Dam,” Sandefur said. “This report confirms that our efforts are producing real, measurable impact.”
