The University of North Georgia had a $620 million economic impact on a 17-county area of north Georgia during fiscal year 2017.
An annual study of the University System of Georgia's economic impact measures direct and indirect spending that contributes to the university's service region.
"This study is a timely reminder of the significant role UNG has in advancing economic growth and prosperity in the areas we serve," UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs said. "The report complements our ongoing work with industry and community partners to increase educational attainment and regional economic development efforts that enhance this region."
Most of UNG's $620 million economic impact consists of initial spending by the university for salaries and benefits, operating supplies and expenses, and other budgeted expenditures. Included in UNG’s economic impact is $248 million in spending by UNG’s nearly 19,000 students, which alone created 3,721 jobs in the study area. On average, for every dollar spent by the university, an additional 52 cents is generated for the region.
The study areas for UNG included Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Dawson, Forsyth, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Union, Walton, and White counties, communities where UNG campuses are located or contiguous communities. The 17-county study areas were defined based on commuting data obtained from the Residence County to Workplace County Flows for Georgia, compiled from U.S. Census Bureau.
UNG, which has campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Oconee County, also had a regional employment impact of 6,769 jobs in the same period. The employment impact includes on-campus positions and off-campus jobs that exist due to the institution.
As a whole, the public colleges and universities that comprised the USG in 2017 had an impact of $16.8 billion on the state.
The full economic impact report is available on the University System of Georgia web site.
