Despite major disruptions caused by an October 2023 water main break that resulted in significant damage and a year-long repair effort, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts has emerged stronger than ever, generating more than $14 million in total economic impact during the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
“When the water main break forced us to shut down in 2023, it could have been a major setback,” said Joell Yarmel, Executive Director of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. “But our team stayed committed and adapted quickly. While navigating a complex repair and renovation process, we continued to deliver high-quality performances, serve our community, and keep the lights on for downtown Wilkes-Barre. This economic impact report is proof that even in the face of adversity, the F.M. Kirby Center remains a driving force, artistically and economically.”
According to a new study by The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, the Kirby Center’s operations, visitor spending, and final phase of renovations supported nearly 200 jobs, contributed over $7.9 million to regional GDP, and generated more than $2 million in tax revenue. The historic downtown venue hosted 110 performances and events, attracting nearly 80,000 visitors, with approximately 12 percent traveling from out of state, spending on local dining, lodging, and retail throughout the region.
Importantly, all contractors hired for the final phase of flood and capital repairs were based in Luzerne County, ensuring that the recovery investment remained within the local community.
The study underscores the Kirby Center’s role as a vital cultural and economic catalyst in Northeastern Pennsylvania, demonstrating how investment in the arts drives job creation, tourism, and local business growth.
“The Kirby Center has always been more than a theater, it’s a catalyst for downtown Wilkes-Barre’s economic and cultural vitality,” added Yarmel. “We’re proud to be a place where the community comes together, and even prouder to contribute to its strength, vibrancy, and economic growth.”
About The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development
The Institute is a non-profit economic and social innovation research and policy organization dedicated to empowering business and community leaders with research-based strategies for informed decision-making. We conduct independent, non-biased research to identify the opportunities, issues, and challenges unique to the region and to find innovative solutions to help solve the problems facing our communities. The Institute also offers a wide array of research, consulting, and support services to help organizations boost productivity, increase profitability, and be successful in their missions. The Institute is a partnership of 14 colleges and universities and the business community.
About the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
The F.M. Kirby Center is a historic Art Deco-Moderne-style performing arts center located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
