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For Immediate Release
December 5, 2012

The annual economic impact of the university includes $714 million in direct effects and $402 million in indirect and induced effects according to a McDowell Group study, titled “The Economic Impact of the University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� 2012.”

“It showcases the extent to which the university, by bringing high quality learning and workforce development to �Ӱ�ԭ��, is contributing to the state’s well being and keeping �Ӱ�ԭ�� competitive in the 21st century knowledge economy,” said University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� President Patrick Gamble.

Direct effects are those tied straight to university purchases, household purchases by �Ӱ�ԭ��s and student spending. Indirect effects result from industries doing business with the university. Induced effects are changes in state economic activity resulting from the effect of spending university-related payroll dollars in the �Ӱ�ԭ�� economy. In terms of employment, university spending translates to 8,247 direct jobs and 7,435 indirect and induced jobs. The university ranks as �Ӱ�ԭ��’s fourth largest employer.

According to the McDowell Group study, for each dollar the State of �Ӱ�ԭ�� invested in UA in FY11, the university generated $3.25 in total economic activity within the state. And, for each dollar of state investment in university research, UA generated $5.60 in additional research revenue. It is clear that as a major driver of economic activity in �Ӱ�ԭ��, the university provides a significant return on investment of public dollars.

UA is a principal source of human capital in �Ӱ�ԭ��. Spending generated in support of core UA mission accomplishments, and with the broad civic engagement of its students, faculty and staff, generates an irreplaceable contribution to �Ӱ�ԭ��’s human capital. The McDowell analysis concluded that the higher educated and workforce-trained pool of UA graduates accounts for nearly 10 percent of �Ӱ�ԭ��’s labor force and almost $2 billion in annual state payroll. Says Gamble, “The total value added to �Ӱ�ԭ�� by our UA graduates?...Priceless!”

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For more information contact Kate Wattum at 907/450-8102 or kewattum@alaska.edu. A copy of the report can be downloaded at http://www.alaska.edu/opa/files/UA-Economic-Impacts-10_3.pdf.

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