Having completed the fifth edition of the Tour de Georgia a month ago, the impact of the pro cycling event and rolling festival continues to be positive on several levels, according to tour organizers.

More than half a million spectators watched the Tour de Georgia from April 16-22 along its 667-mile route. And for the fourth consecutive year, detailed crowd intercept survey reports have found that the economic impact has surpassed $26 million for the fourth consecutive year. The 2007 Tour de Georgia generated a direct economic impact of $27.56 million into the state economy, according to Tour officials.

According to the Tour, in the five years since its inception, the event has produced 2.8 million spectators and $148 million direct economic impact to the state of Georgia. “The Tour de Georgia helps keep Georgia on the world stage,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the agency that serves as a marketing arm for the state and presenting sponsor of the Tour de Georgia.

GDEcD has been the presenting sponsor for the Tour since its inception in 2003. For more details on this story, read Saturday's Rome News-Tribune.