PENNEY FARMS – Clay County will play host to the four-day USA Cycling Road Amateur Nationals in June, which is expected to boost business coffers by $2.3 million during each of the next two years.

“We’re going to fill every hotel room; we’re going to fill every restaurant,” said Joel Lamp, Chief Revenue Officer for Airstream Ventures. “You don’t get to host a national championship every day. It’s going to take a lot of community support.”

The Clay County Commission agreed to pay Airstream Ventures $66,000 a year on Jan. 28 to bring events to the county. Three weeks later, the group delivered one of the biggest cycling events in the country.

“This national championship will introduce us, Clay County, to the rest of the country,” said county commissioner and Clay County Tourist Development Council Chairman Mike Cella. “This will have a great deal of impact for this county.

“The economic impact this event will bring to our community will be felt county-wide, not just in hotels, but in restaurants, retailers, gas stations and more. The county is committed to bringing events like this to give our community an added economic boost, especially during slower seasons.”

The nationals will start on June 25 with a 20-mile time trial from the Keystone Airport to Camp Blanding. Day 2 will involve a 10-mile short course at Penney Farms, while cyclists will make five laps around a 40-mile long-course circuit throughout Penney Farms and Lake Asbury on the third day. On June 28, the nationals will end with a 100-lap “NASCAR-like” race at Fleming Island High.

“We look forward to welcoming this group of competitors and their families to our community,” said BCC Chairman Gayward Hendry. “We are excited to showcase our small towns on the national stage. There will be many opportunities to show your community spirit by coming out to cheer on these young athletes as they compete for the national title. We are certain they will enjoy Clay County as one of the most hospitable places they've ever visited.”

A field of 800 cyclists are expected, with 30 championships being awarded in a variety of age categories. All 30 will travel to Europe for the World Championships.

“USA Cycling is excited to bring the Amateur National Road Championships to Clay County,” said Chuck Hodge, Chief of Racing and Events for USA Cycling. “This event is a showcase for our young and aspiring athletes as they seek out future success both in the US and abroad.”

According to Lamp, it usually takes about a year to hammer out an agreement to host a high-profile event. Airstreams did it in three weeks.

“When they said ‘jump,’ we said, ‘how high?’ We put a lot of work in this to make this happen,” he said.

Airstream CEO Alan Verlander said he hopes to bring more events to Clay County.

“Why can’t we utilize all the facilities we have in Clay County? We’re going to deliver events that will benefit all of us,” he said. “Any time you host a national championship, it is a special opportunity, and we look forward to providing the participants, fans, and staff of USA Cycling a truly memorable experience.”