Athens, Ga. — A just-released study says the University System of Georgia (USG) has a $9.7 billion annual economic impact on the state, a $1.7 billion increase since a similar study was conducted in 2002. Of the system’s 34 member institutions, the University of Georgia has the single greatest economic impact on its host community.
The study shows UGA – the system’s largest institution with 33,405 students – has a $2 billion impact on the Athens-area economy or 21 percent of USG’s total statewide economic impact. In addition the study found that UGA is responsible for more than 22,000 jobs in the Athens area – more than 10,000 on-campus jobs and more than 12,000 off campus that exist because of institution-related spending.
For a summary of the study, refer to the USG news release and the complete study.
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Note to editors: This is the first year the study did not include the economic impact of construction projects on the University System’s campuses. Because of this change, some University System institutions may show a decline in overall economic impact, despite the fact there may have been a significant increase in enrollment over the time period between the two studies.
