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Study shows economic impact of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ onValdosta-MSA for F.Y. 2004 was $304.7 million

January 10, 2005
05-004

Charles Harmon Director of University Relations, Dr. Cynthia Tori Associate Professor of Economics Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration (229) 245-2249

Study shows economic impact of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ onValdosta-MSA for F.Y. 2004 was $304.7 million

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's economic impact on Valdosta's metropolitan statistical area (Valdosta-MSA) was $304.7 million and 4,906 jobs during Fiscal Year 2004, according to a recent study completed through The South Georgia Institute. SGI is based in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration. Dr. Cynthia Royal Tori, Associate Professor of Economics, authored the report.

The Valdosta-MSA includes Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's home county Lowndes, as well as Brooks, Echols, and Lanier counties. The report shows that Valdosta State University is the third largest employer in the Valdosta-MSA.

In order to calculate the economic impacts, Dr.Tori said the study considers two university-related sources of local expenditures: expenditures by Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ itself, and expenditures by students who attend Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ. She said during the time frame of the study, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ enrolled over 10,000 students during the 2003 fall and 2004 Spring Semesters and conferred 1,953 undergraduate and graduate degrees during the 2003-2004 academic year.

The $304.7 million economic impact of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ represents 12 percent of the total personal income in the region. In addition the study shows that directly and indirectly the jobs created by Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ represent 9 percent of the labor force in the MSA. This includes Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ employees as well as new jobs generated to fill the business and service needs of university employees and students. Two and a half jobs are created for every job at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.

?Seventy-nine percent of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ students come from outside the MSA region, infusing significant dollars into the region's economy,? said Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ President Ronald M. Zaccari during the Spring Semester Convocation Address on January 6, 2005. ?The figures clearly show how important Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is to the MSA region.?

Fifty one percent ($154.8 million) of the $304.7 million economic impact results from Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ students spending money on dining, entertainment, rent, utilities, and other items, the study shows. Student spending generates 28 percent of the jobs created by Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's presence.

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is one of two regional universities with the University System of Georgia and is located within the city limits of Valdosta in the southwest region of Georgia. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is about 18 miles from the Florida border.

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