2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

project was provided by the State of North Carolina for tourism and economic development activities. The ACC Hall of Champions strengthens the bond between Greensboro and the ACC, enhancing Greensboro’s efforts to secure future tournament dates. Greensboro Aquatic Center , a state-of-the-art, 78,323 square-foot indoor swimming facility, with seating capacity of 1,850 and total capacity of 2,500 has been in operation since September 2011. Featuring leading edge concepts in aquatic design, the GAC brings together all major aquatic sports - competitive swimming and diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and other unique sports all in one venue. The GAC has provided Greensboro the opportunity to host high school and collegiate events, USA swimming meets, Master’s swimming and U.S. Water Polo events as well as many local, regional, national and international competitions. The GAC has previously hosted NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in 2015 (Division I Women’s) and 2016 (Division III Women’s & Men’s). The GAC was also previously awarded the 2018 NCAA Division II Women’s & Men’s Championships and thus will now host NCAA Championships for five consecutive years (2018-2022). With this increase in demand, the GAC has completed a fourth pool that provides 19 additional short course lanes and 8 long course lanes. The facility has had an estimated economic impact of over $150 million since it opened in 2011. Greensboro was selected from among thirty-two applications to host the annual National Folk Festival from 2015 to 2017. The free, three-day outdoor event attracted roughly 400,000 visitors over its three-year run, generating an economic impact between $12 to $15 million per year, based on audience surveys and other data. The 2017 event drew more than 162,000 attendees, an increase of 58% from 2015. The legacy festival included over 30 acts of music, dance, and other events at seven locations across downtown Greensboro. The event also utilized the LeBauer Park as one of eight venues across downtown Greensboro, located across from the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. With the success of the national festival, the City has continued the event as a statewide, admission free festival, funded by sponsorships, donations and fees paid by participating vendors. The City celebrated with the three-day North Carolina Folk Festival in 2018 and 2019 and again in 2020 being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The eastern entrance to the City showcases the newest addition to Greensboro’s collection of beautiful parks and gardens, Gateway Gardens , another public/private venture. Phase I of the $8 million project has been completed and includes the main entrance and a 5,100 square-foot Visitor’s Center along with rain garden, pond, children’s garden and heritage garden with unique public artwork displayed throughout the park. Phase II will include a Japanese garden, wedding and special event garden and white oak forest. This project is funded with $2.5 million in City bond funds, $2 million in private contributions and a $500,000 grant.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019, the City of Greensboro ranked in the top 10 by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) in its annual Digital Cities Survey for cities with a population of 250,000 to 500,000. The CDG is a national research and advisory institute focused on information technology policies and best practices for state XVI