2015 Special Olympics will boost Los Angeles County economy

The Special Olympics will have a significant economic benefit for Los Angeles, according to a study released Thursday.

The games being held in the summer of 2015 will generate at least $415 million in economic activity for the county, according to the study by a research firm working for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.

The games are expected to draw more than 7,000 athletes and 500,000 spectators to the Los Angeles area, according to the Special Olympics website.

It will be the first time the summer event will be held in the United States since 1999, when they were in Raleigh, N.C. The nine-day event will take place from July 24-Aug. 2, 2015. Athletes will be housed at UCLA and USC.

The games are expected to generate $128 million from visitors, $23 million from athletes and delegates, $34 million from hiring staff and $28 million from the production of the games, according to the analysis.

The event also is expected to bring another $202 million in “multiplier effects,” such as for taxis, airport shuttles and restaurants, the study said.

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