Expert: Baseball to Have $47 Million Impact on Regional Economy

Moosic, Lackawanna County - Lacakwanna County commissioners held a public meeting Wednesday night to discuss the future of baseball in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Commissioners came together to explain the sales agreement of the region's AAA baseball franchise to the group SWB Yankees LLC.

The sales price will be more than $14 million.

Commissioners also released new drawings of what PNC Field will look like after renovations are completed next April.

"We think that's important," Commissioner Corey O'Brien said. "We think it's vital to our region that we continue to move forward on that and AAA baseball provides, and is, an important economic engine for northeastern Pennsylvania."

Edward Halko of Moosic came out Wednesday to check out the first phase of demolition work which has crews removing chairs from the current stadium's upper deck.

Halko isn't 100-percent in support of selling the franchise.

"I think it's a shame what happened," Halko said. "That stadium could last another 20 years."

Daniel Lispi, President of DRL Consulting & Development says the annual economic impact of baseball in the area is currently $33 million.

When the renovations are complete, that number is expected to jump to $47 million.

"There's businesses that rely on the stadium and they rely on the crowds and I believe when the Yankees sign for 30 years that this is going to have a great impact on our community," Commissioner Patrick O'Malley said.

"I think it'll bring the community together," Jesse Bowers of Scranton said.

County leaders also say taxpayers will be protected under the deal they've negotiated because SWB Yankees will pay for any cost overruns and they'll also help pay for future stadium repairs and improvements.