State Games of Mississippi brought fun and friendly competition to Meridian this month and put smiles on the faces of local business owners as they watched revenues soar as a result of the many visitors in town.

State Games weekends are the busiest of the whole year for Wanda Hutchinson, general manager for LaQuinta Inn.

“During peak season, usually the summer months through labor day, we usually have 60 to 80 percent occupancy,” Hutchinson said Friday. “But when State Games hit our occupancy rate is one hundred percent for both Friday and Saturday nights.”

She said some teams start booking rooms as early as January.

“If they don’t qualify (for State Games) there is always another qualifying team waiting to take their place. This year we were a little slower filling up,” Hutchinson said. “Because some of the teams from the coast did not have a place to play their championship game, and they had to wait until other teams finished their championship game before they could use their field to play, but we still filled up. Katrina filled us up last year for three or four months, but normally the State Games bring in the largest revenue for hotels and restaurants.”

Bonita Lakes RV Park has also experienced an increase in business.

Jana Kuner, marketing director for Bonita Lakes Mall, noticed an increase in traffic at the mall since State Games started.

“Our Summer clearance sale is scheduled to coincide with the State Games, and some merchants are offering as much as 75% off,” Kuner said. “People are spending their free time here shopping, eating, going to the movies, and getting out of the heat.”

According to Woodi Newell, guest services liaison for the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau, the bed tax and hotel occupancy tax doubles during State Games.

“We had 8,500 people the first night for opening ceremonies, and we are expecting 5,000 this weekend,” Newell said Friday. “It is going to be busy all week with people buying food, gas, and going to the theater.”

The 2.5 percent hotel tax funds the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau. The extra money from State Games helps the Tourism Bureau promote other local events such as Little Mardi Gra and the Jimmie Rodgers Festival.

“Our office is dedicated to bringing people to Meridian, and improving the economic situation here. If we can get out-of-town guests interested in other stuff while they are here, they end up wanting to spend the night, and that is good,” said Newell.