University System of Georgia Increases Statewide Economic Impact to $17.7 Billion

ATLANTA – The University System of Georgia (USG) in fiscal year 2018 had a $17.7 billion impact on communities across Georgia, an increase of almost 5 percent over the previous fiscal year. It also created 168,284 direct and indirect jobs, a nearly 3 percent increase over last fiscal year.

“While we remain focused on graduating more students, keeping college affordable, and increasing our efficiency in delivering a quality education, we are proud our colleges and universities help power Georgia’s economy,” says USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley. “USG and its 26 institutions play an important role in generating jobs and boosting businesses across the state, befitting the investment Georgia’s leaders have made in us.”

The latest version of an annual study on the statewide economic impact of USG’s 26 institutions concluded that, on average, every dollar of initial spending generates an additional 47 cents for the economy of the region that hosts the institution.

Of the USG jobs number, the report found that 30 percent are on campus and 70 percent are off-campus in either the private or public sectors. On average, for each job created on campus 2.3 off-campus jobs are created as a result. The jobs generated USG account for 3.8 percent of all the nonfarm jobs in Georgia, or about 1 job in 26.

Among other findings, USG generates $12.2 billion in gross regional impact and $8.5 billion in labor income to host communities.

In fiscal year 2018, USG’s value-added impact comprises $12.2 billion (69 percent) of the $17.7 billion overall impact, with domestic and foreign trade comprising the remaining $5.5 billion (31 percent). The $12.2 billion value-added impact equals 2.1 percent of Georgia’s GDP. Labor income received by residents of the communities that host one or more institutions equals $8.5 billion, and represents 70 percent of the value-added impact.

The annual study is conducted on behalf of the Board of Regents by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

The full report, including impact by institution, is available here.

 

Featured

  • LAN, Inc. Opens Office in College Station, Texas

    Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) recently announced the opening of a new office in College Station, Texas, to support its regional client base, according to a news release. The organization provides engineering, design, and program management services for water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and education clients in the Brazos Valley.

  • California K–12 District Completes Elementary School Campus Replacement

    The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) in Richmond, Calif., recently announced the completion of a replacement campus for Lake Elementary School, according to a news release. The school has capacity for 470 students between Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and sixth grade.

  • Niles West High School Natatorium Renovation

    Natatoriums are highly specialized spaces, and luminaires in this setting face several unique challenges. Perhaps the most significant is corrosion, which is exacerbated by high indoor humidity, condensation, and pool chemicals, often resulting in material degradation in luminaires not certified to perform in corrosive environments.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

Digital Edition