STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY - Monday's sanctions of Penn State has area businesses in State College, Centre County and the greater central Pennsylvania area on alert. The NCAA sanction against Penn State totaled $ 60 million and the Big Ten chipped in with a fine of $13 million against the university.
However, the affects to the university could be much more expensive.
Many businesses are looking at the NCAA sanctions to see how it'll affect their bottom line. Several business owners in downtown State College including The Family Clothesline and Lion's Pride say details on Penn State's bowl game restriction is unclear.
For 46 years, Centre for Travel in State College has been offering travel packages to Penn State football fans. The travel agency is just one of dozens of businesses that'll likely be impacted after the NCAA sanctions against Penn State were delivered Monday. All of their traveling trips cater to Penn State football fans.
"If people are at wits end, they may not want to do any of the trips, then, hotels are going to have a problem, the restaurants will have a problem. In general, I think everyone is going to have a problem," said Kay Rogers, the owner of the business.
Last year, Centre for Travel registered 200 trips for the Ticket City Bowl. More than 2,000 were booked for the Fiesta Bowl and 5,000 trips for the Rose Bowl. The championship games generated tens of thousands of dollars for the company. This revenue will not be coming for the next four years.
Local officials say keeping taxes low will be one way to help businesses if many start struggling. State College Borough hasn't raised taxes in four years.
"The sanctions are unprecedented and we fully expect that there will be some impact. It's really difficult to assess what the impact will be," said Tom Fontaine, the borough manager.
Rogers thinks many fans who want to see the team will continue to see the players compete. Officials say that Penn State football generates around $90 million for Centre County and surrounding areas. If the NCAA sanctions affect business for Rogers, she says she'll need to find ways to cut costs.
Local business leaders will meet Tuesday at the Centre County Visitor's Center to discuss these issues in more detail.
However, the affects to the university could be much more expensive.
Many businesses are looking at the NCAA sanctions to see how it'll affect their bottom line. Several business owners in downtown State College including The Family Clothesline and Lion's Pride say details on Penn State's bowl game restriction is unclear.
For 46 years, Centre for Travel in State College has been offering travel packages to Penn State football fans. The travel agency is just one of dozens of businesses that'll likely be impacted after the NCAA sanctions against Penn State were delivered Monday. All of their traveling trips cater to Penn State football fans.
"If people are at wits end, they may not want to do any of the trips, then, hotels are going to have a problem, the restaurants will have a problem. In general, I think everyone is going to have a problem," said Kay Rogers, the owner of the business.
Last year, Centre for Travel registered 200 trips for the Ticket City Bowl. More than 2,000 were booked for the Fiesta Bowl and 5,000 trips for the Rose Bowl. The championship games generated tens of thousands of dollars for the company. This revenue will not be coming for the next four years.
Local officials say keeping taxes low will be one way to help businesses if many start struggling. State College Borough hasn't raised taxes in four years.
"The sanctions are unprecedented and we fully expect that there will be some impact. It's really difficult to assess what the impact will be," said Tom Fontaine, the borough manager.
Rogers thinks many fans who want to see the team will continue to see the players compete. Officials say that Penn State football generates around $90 million for Centre County and surrounding areas. If the NCAA sanctions affect business for Rogers, she says she'll need to find ways to cut costs.
Local business leaders will meet Tuesday at the Centre County Visitor's Center to discuss these issues in more detail.
