Georgia Southwestern State University has $94 million economic impact on region

AMERICUS — Georgia Southwestern State University’s economic impact on the region was $93.6 million in Fiscal Year 2018, up nearly $5 million from the previous year’s total.

Data were published in the recent annual study conducted by the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. The study, commissioned by the University System of Georgia, included economic data for all the system’s schools and USG as a whole.

Georgia Southwestern’s economic impact grew by 5 percent from FY 2017 to 2018, while USG’s economic impact also increased by 5 percent. The report stated that the increase at GSW and across USG is attributed to “spending by the institution and spending by the students” in each economic region.

“We’re proud that Georgia Southwestern is continuing to build momentum and foster growth in southwest Georgia,” GSW President Neal Weaver said. “The report also notes the nearly $50 million in economic impact directly related to student spending. Whether they go out to eat, put gas in their car, or buy a shirt locally, GSW students make a real difference for the Americus and Sumter County community.”

Most of GSW’s $93.6 million economic impact consists of personnel and operating expenses, budgeted expenditures and spending by students. The study found that GSW generated 1,061 full- and part-time jobs.

“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,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “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 study concluded that, on average, every dollar of initial spending by a USG institution generates an additional 47 cents for the economy of the region that hosts that college or university.

To calculate the impact for FY 2018, the Selig Center analyzed data collected between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. The annual study is conducted on behalf of the USG Board of Regents by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, director of the Selig Center.

The full study with data for all USG institutions is available at: usg.edu/assets/usg/docs/news_files/USG_Impact_2018.pdf.

Special Photo: David Parks Photography