HBCU Homecoming season is in full throttle and for North Carolina Agricultural & Mechanical State University (NCAT) they’re preparing for a massive amount of people starting October 25 after they’ve been estimated to have over 200,000 visitors in attendance and have an economic impact of $57M, according to local North Carolina news station FOX8. The occasion affectionately known as “GHOE” (Greatest Homecoming On Earth) is a weekend filled with celebration including an alumni concert, parade, Divine Nine stepshow, and tailgate activities that is only growing in popularity as time goes on.
In the social media video posted by FOX 8, reporter Hojung Ryu went in depth about the projected numbers that the university is expected to see. “57 million dollars. That is how much money is being projected to get pumped into our local economy for this year’s NCA&T homecoming also known as Greatest Homecoming On Earth or GHOE. Now these numbers are pulled from professor Cephas Naanwaab, who is the associate professor of economics here at NCA&T and out of $57M, $37M will come from visitors spending with local businesses. The rest are ripple effects of local suppliers and workers spending their money in our community,” Ryu said.
She continued on to explain that out of 200,000 attendees more than 86,000 people are expected to come from out of town 245 jobs will be supported with the primary amount of those jobs being in the food and beverage industry. Dr. Naanwaab predicts that if more than 100,00 people come from out of town, $57M could reach up to $80M of total economic activity. The economic impact comes in when visitors and homecoming supporters patronize local businesses along with other resources from the area. The school is infamously known for bringing some of the music industry’s biggest music artists to perform and energy that makes you want to come back again the next year.
“I really hope they put [the money] towards programs for the students because yes GHOE is very popular. There are people on campus, and there are people all over the state, even celebrities and influencers and all these people that just come to the event. So, you’re in a space where Black students are trying to get educated and they want the best education, especially with the world that they’re in. GHOE is supposed to celebrate the people that have received that education and this type of money needs to be spent on them,” expressed Grace Ancrum, a NCAT alumna.
Local businesses have been preparing themselves through hiring more temporary staff members and increasing the amount of internal supplies at their disposal to help accommodate for the rush. For someone businesses who have struggled throughout the year, they are relying on these sales to help support them in filling in financial gaps that have come up and leave them in strong standing to close 2026. Hotels in the area have already sold out, and travelers have been seeking accommodations within the surrounding cities just to ensure they have
For senior NCAT student Antonio Mattox Jr., he feels indifferent yet optimistically excited about the crowd that’s to come for homecoming week. “To be real, I don’t like that so many people are on campus at one time. There’s no wifi, and I can’t text anyone. However, there’s nothing like seeing my older upperclassmen friends when they come back. It’s so nostalgic! I love that we are being seen as a school because we’re honestly so much more than just GHOE. [NCAT] has shaped so many people into their Black excellence. Homecoming is just the culmination of the greatness I experience everyday,”
In preparation of the occasion, university officials and influencers have issued posts across social media that provide safety tips and expectations for attendees to have in mind, such as this one which highlights specifics on parking for the weekend.