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Study shows economic impact of Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø 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 Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø onValdosta-MSA for F.Y. 2004 was $304.7 million

Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø'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 Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø's Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration. Dr. Cynthia Royal Tori, Associate Professor of Economics, authored the report.

The Valdosta-MSA includes Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø'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 Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø itself, and expenditures by students who attend Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø. She said during the time frame of the study, Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø 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 Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø represents 12 percent of the total personal income in the region. In addition the study shows that directly and indirectly the jobs created by Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø represent 9 percent of the labor force in the MSA. This includes Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø 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 Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø.

?Seventy-nine percent of Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø students come from outside the MSA region, infusing significant dollars into the region's economy,? said Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø President Ronald M. Zaccari during the Spring Semester Convocation Address on January 6, 2005. ?The figures clearly show how important Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø is to the MSA region.?

Fifty one percent ($154.8 million) of the $304.7 million economic impact results from Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø students spending money on dining, entertainment, rent, utilities, and other items, the study shows. Student spending generates 28 percent of the jobs created by Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø's presence.

Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø 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. Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ¹ÙÍø is about 18 miles from the Florida border.

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