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Elvis' Birthplace Gets $6.6 Million Upgrade

April 27, 2011 | Other

A Tupelo tourism attraction which attracts over 75,000 visitors each year is about to receive a large face-lift. City leaders held a ground breaking at the place where Elvis Presley was born as it will soon expand 10,000 plus square-feet. Project plans estimate to cost about $6.6 million including a theater, reception hall, walking trail, and other displays. Two and a half million dollars for this upgrade comes from the Mississippi Legislature, a wise investment according to some of our tourism experts.

"For every dollar we spend in advertising and marketing in the state of Mississippi we get about seven dollars returned on that one dollar," says Neal McCoy, Director of the Tupelo Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "So this is a good sound investment we think will attract visitors." "We're the number one tourist attraction for the State of Mississippi. The state tourism people realize that and they're not afraid to put money into a project like this," believes Executive Director of the Elvis Presley Memorial, Dick Guyton.

Records show in 2010, the birthplace brought visitors in from all 50 states as well as 50 foreign countries. 

Source:Elvis Unlimited
1 BILLION SOLD wrote on April 27, 2011
The last time I went was 3 years ago and it was really neat then, with the "boyhood" Elvis statue and all. Cant wait to see what another $6.6 million is gonna do for it!!
Hans Otto wrote on April 28, 2011
A wise decition, both culturally and businesswise. I personally visited both Graceland and Tupelo last year, and thought Elvis Presley Drive was way better than Elvis Presley Blvd. The Elvis' birthplace Museum was sober, beautiful and informative, while the whole Graceland area appeared tacky and in bad need of restoration. Hopefully, Elvis Presley Enterprises and it's CKX owners some day will find money and actual will to upgrade Graceland in the same manner. But I'm not holding my breath...