NIVA’s State of Live Report Reveals The Economic Impact of Harrisburg’s Independent Stages
New Data Highlights Harrisburg’s Strong Regional Impact While Underscoring That 88 Percent of Independent Stages Face Ongoing Financial Pressure
December 16, 2025 – Today, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and XL Live unveil the economic impact findings from the regional State of Live report for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Harrisburg report builds on NIVA’s National State of Live Economic Research Study and details the regional economic impact and situation of independent venues, festivals, and promoters across the Harrisburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Harrisburg’s independent live entertainment sector serves as both a cultural anchor and a major economic driver, producing $14.5 million annually in off-site spending that supports Pennsylvania's hotels, restaurants, retail, and public transportation. Despite this economic impact, only 12% of independent stages in Harrisburg reported profitability in 2024, highlighting the growing gap between cultural value and financial sustainability.
According to the State of Live report, in 2024, independent stages in Harrisburg:
Generated $74.1 million in total economic output
Contributed $42.8 million directly to Pennsylvania's GDP
Paid $22.7 million wages and benefits
Returned $4.8 million in annual state and local taxes
Generated $14.5 million in off-site tourism spending
Supported 561 industry jobs
“As the talent buyer, and having promoted venues, bands, and shows in Harrisburg for over four decades, we understand the role independent stages play in shaping Harrisburg’s cultural life and drawing people into the city,” said John Harris, Talent Buyer, XL Live & Southside Stage.
“What this report provides is the data to translate that live impact into policy and funding conversations, strengthening the case for tourism investment, county support, and fair treatment for locally owned venues.”
Nationally, the State of Live report, released earlier this year, found that independent stages generated $153.1 billion in economic output, and contributed $86.2 billion directly to U.S. GDP, supported more than 907,000 jobs, and paid over $51.7 billion in wages and benefits — eclipsing the U.S. beer, gaming, and airline industries.
“The State of Live report illustrates why Harrisburg should cherish its independent stages,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA. “We know now that the cultural impact of Harrisburg’s venues, festivals, and promoters is bolstered by the $74 million in economic activity and the nearly 600 jobs they support throughout the community.”
Conducted by leading economic research firm TEConomy Partners, the Harrisburg State of Live report provides policymakers, community leaders, and industry stakeholders with clear, data-driven evidence of the economic and cultural value of independent live entertainment in Harrisburg. The findings underscore why independent stages, promoters, and live entertainment leaders must have a seat at decision-making tables across the Commonwealth when shaping economic development, tourism, and cultural policy.
The full Harrisburg State of Live report is available HERE.
To learn more about the State of Live initiative, visit www.nivassoc.org/stateoflive.
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. NIVA works to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more.
NIVA led the Save Our Stages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, the largest arts investment in U.S. history.
NIVA is committed to equity in its support of independent stages. It seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.
CONTACT
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Kris Ferraro, Kris@luckybreakpr.com
Mike Stommel, Mike@luckybreakpr.com
