The Canadian Press: Montreal jazz festival a boon for businesses

MONTREAL — When Ray Charles opened the inaugural Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1980, founder Alain Simard was working on a budget of $70,000.

Little did he know that years later the festival would stave off financial ruin and draw millions in money and crowds to become one of the country’s most economically successful events of the summer.

“We could never have imagined that it would become a symbol of Montreal and bring about $100 million economic windfall each year,” said Simard, who is overseeing his final festival this year beginning June 26.

Source: The Canadian Press