STURGIS, Miss. (WTVA) -- Sturgis librarian Jean Griffin likes the peace and quiet her job affords, but just as pleasing to her is the sound of all those motorcycles that come with the Sturgis South Bike Rally.
"As you can see, we don't have much going on. It brings in a lot of people," Griffin said.
Those people have not been back in two years.
"It was a big disappointment. People were very disappointed because it was canceled," Griffin added.
Tim Bastow remembers it well.
"I think it's pretty cool how people line up and they just parade right through the town. It's pretty exciting," Bastow said.
The mayor of this town said the economic impact is worth bringing it back.
"It's a tremendous impact for Sturgis, Starkville, Ackerman and Louisville — the whole surrounding area. In the past, we filled up all the motels, all the restaurants and bars in Starkville and campgrounds," Mayor Walter Turner said.
There may be no question about the economic impact, but the reality is someone has to pay for it.
One local business owner said it's going to take more money than previously spent by the town and the Sturgis South Bike Rally Board to make it successful.
"Not sure it would be a great thing. I think it will be a really good thing. To put any kind of money in a small community like this is phenomenal. I don't know how much the city made off this over the years, but I know they made some money off it," Sturgis business owner "Bear" said.
On average, the city receives about 30 percent of the profit. The rally doesn't always make a profit.
The town generates revenue from vendors and RV hookup rentals.
Someone has to cover the cost of sanitation, security and portable bathrooms.
How much of that cost depends on the crowd.
"They think that they're gonna have a bigger crowd, and I don't think that's the case," Rally Board President Donnie Hanson said.
Aldermen are once again considering expenses.
Still to be determined is if the town and the Sturgis South Bike Rally Board can agree on terms.
No official move will be taken during a special work session, but the Rally Board will be notified of any questions that come up.
