The NCAA College Baseball Regional Tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina University May 30 to June 1 generated a total economic impact of at least $3.1 million, according to a study of the event produced by the University's BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development.

The study reports that visitors to the event spent a total of $2.2 million on local accommodations, restaurants, shopping and other attractions. The event helped support more than 50 jobs and nearly $1.2 million in labor income in Horry County, due to both direct visitor spending and associated ripple effects.

The tournament, held on the Coastal Carolina University campus, marked the second consecutive year the event was held in the area as a result of the Chanticleer baseball team's performance. Sixteen regional tournaments were held across the nation.

A total of 964 all-session passes and 5,195 single-game tickets were sold at the tournament. In addition to Coastal Carolina University, the teams that played in the tournament were East Carolina University, the University of Alabama and Columbia University.

The study also estimates the value of television broadcasts and other promotions relating to the tournament at between $350,000 and $700,000.

For more information contact Gary Loftus, director of the BB&T Center for Economic and Community Development at Coastal Carolina University at 843-349-2589.