Vail Offers Businesses Incentives To Spruce Up Before Skiing Championships

VAIL, Colo. (CBS4) - Fix it, paint it, clean it, improve it.

That's the message the town of Vail is sending local businesses in preparation for the 2015 Alpine Skiing World Championships.

"We're expecting about 150,000 guests and spectators. And we're expecting about 750 million viewers from the worldwide broadcast," Kelli McDonald, Vail's economic development manager, said.

Businesses are getting ready, too, for the influx of people.

Matt Morgan, the owner of the Sweet Basil restaurant, said his business replaced its seating, redid its bar back, replaced lighting and added a 2,500-bottle wine rack.

"We figure we'll have some thirsty Europeans and skiers here," he said.

The town is offering full rebates on permit and review fees to encourage businesses to refurbish. Vail's offer to refund the fees runs through mid-December.

Sweet Basil will get approximately $3,000 in refunds.

"It was a way for the town to participate," Morgan said, "(It) help us put some money back into our properties and really encourage people to make a change."

The championships are scheduled for Feb. 2-15.

"We thought this was a great way for everybody to win and have it spruced up and looking great when the world comes to our doorstep," McDonald said.