ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ

Study shows economic impact of Valdosta State University 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 Valdosta State University onValdosta-MSA for F.Y. 2004 was $304.7 million

Valdosta State University'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 ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ Institute. SGI is based in ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ's Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration. Dr. Cynthia Royal Tori, Associate Professor of Economics, authored the report.

The Valdosta-MSA includes ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ'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 ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ itself, and expenditures by students who attend ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ. She said during the time frame of the study, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ 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 ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ represents 12 percent of the total personal income in the region. In addition the study shows that directly and indirectly the jobs created by ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ represent 9 percent of the labor force in the MSA. This includes ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ 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 ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ.

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

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

Valdosta State University is one of two regional universities with the University System of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ and is located within the city limits of Valdosta in the southwest region of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ. ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ is about 18 miles from the Florida border.

  • Valdosta State University Facebook
  • Google+
  • Flickr
Newsroom