Despite the lackluster reputation of Winston-Salem entertainment offerings among the college crowd, the Chamber of Commerce has begun to court students in hopes of bringing them downtown more often.

A study conducted last year by the Babcock School of Management showed that students in the Winston-Salem area have an economic impact of million annually, almost half of which comes from Wake Forest students.

The economic impact is the effect of the money spent and circulated by students in the surrounding community.

One effect of the study aimed exclusively at students was a sheet handed out on move-in day, which listed all local stores and restaurants offering discounts to university students.

James McCoy, '99, director of government affairs at the Chamber, said there were no problems attracting business owners to that program. "Businesses have real interest in getting students to walk through their doors," he said.

Though it has only been a few weeks since school has been in session, that strategy "seems to be working well" for both students and businesses alike McCoy said.

The Taste of Winston-Salem, held Aug. 24 at the conclusion of freshmen orientation, was also intended to draw students downtown.

The Chamber appears to be cognizant of student opinion as well. "We don't want to do anything students don't want or won't use," McCoy said.

Some of the topics up for debate are a more accessible public transportation system and the use of Deacon OneCards at shops and restaurants downtown, making it easier for students to conduct business in downtown Winston-Salem.

McCoy recently spoke with resident advisers about what the city currently offers to students, as well as what the city could offer to students in the near future.

Sophomore Christina Blythe, a resident adviser in Bostwick Residence Hall, said the experience was helpful. "Mr. McCoy gave us information about all the renovations to downtown in hopes of attracting students and their visitors," she said.

"We also got to make suggestions. One was to make Burke Street more open for the 18 to 21 crowd, since most of the clubs and bars there are only for people over 21," she said.

Though students may complain that the city simply wants their cash, McCoy said, "We really want to get students involved in the community and the community more involved in students."