<|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|>The Knoxville area reeled in $32.2 million in economic impact during the Bassmaster Classic, more than projections for some March Madness host cities.
Knoxville and East Tennessee reeled in $32.2 million in economic impact during<wm> the first-ever Bassmaster Classic event, surpassing forecasts for some of the nation's top sports-host cities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index, the actual attendance was up 53% above projections.
If this trend were to be carried over, it could boost the city's employment opportunities and put people living near the river into a prime location to work during a time of economic growth. "That's a lot of jobs, and that could potentially have an overall positive impact,"</wm> said Dan Lank, a University of Tennessee business student who witnessed the growth. "If Knoxville could