Here is a good article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
http://www.ajc.com/news/can-tour-de-georgia-265759.html
"... said Tom Saddlemire, "the race needs to attract a “core sponsor” willing to pony up $500,000 to $1 million. That, he said, would almost certainly attract a long line of secondary sponsors who would contribute about $150,000 each. It costs about $3.5 million to put on the six-day, 600-mile race."
" the race... is estimated to pump $30 million-plus annually into the state economy"
I hope the US tours can re emerge after the downturn. I really thought American Road Racing had turned a corner (smile) in the last few years and was ready to emerge with a new strength and the international credibility it deserves.