Indiana Special Olympics has announced they will not be coming to Terre Haute this year.
That means restaurants, hotels, and businesses could have a negative economic impact.
An event that brought thousands of people -- and dollars to terre haute it going virtual this year.
The indiana special olympics has decided to hold their events online this year because of the covid - 19 pandemic.
It's a sad decision for the participants and organizers.
But it also means a negative economic impact on the city.
News 10's sarah lehman talked with some local places.
She's live now in our newsroom with more on what they think could happen.
Typically -- in just a few weeks indiana state university would be flooded with people from all over the state.
Ready to compete in the indiana special olympics.
But this year -- it's going to happen a little bit different.
Every year thousands of people from all across the state of indiana travel right here to terre haute.
All for the indiana special olympics games!
But this year -- because of the coronavirus pandemic...it's going virtual.
"it's something i look forward to every year."
That means all of those people wont be filling up the hotels and restaurants.
Which is normally a very good thing -- economically -- for terre haute.
"anytime you can bring 6-7 thousand people to town and not just for a day but you know for a whole 3-4 day weekend i mean that's a great impact on the community."
Stephen huddelston is the general manager for the grand traverse pie company in terre haute.
He says he has no idea how much it will impact them...but he knows it will be a lot.
"from a financial stand point i would be afraid to guess.
I don't know a dollar amount for sure, but it's one of our better weekends."
Restuarants aren't the only ones getting hit.
Erica free is the general manager at the hilton garden inn in terre haute.
She says they'll be hurt too.
"all we can do is look to the future as to what's going to happen."
But -- it's not always about the money.
"it's something i've been associated with for a long time it's been a big part -- something i really look forward to each and every year.
Just hate to miss it this year."
He's looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.
"it's a big impact on us but you know time will tell and we'll get em back next year and make the best of it this year."
Officials say this is not the new normal for them!
They plan on coming back to terre haute and i-s-u next year to continue the games!
Continue the year to continue the games!
Reporting live in the newsroom i'm sarah lehman news 10 back to you unemployment numbers in the u-s are staggering.
But help may be on the way.
The house recently the house be on the way.
But help may staggering.
U-s are numbers in the unemployment back to you lehman news 10 back to you
The Indiana special Olympics won't hold its usual games in Terre Haute next month.
