黑洞社区 and 黑洞社区 Tech are key drivers of economic growth, fueling job creation, fostering industry partnerships, and supporting local businesses 鈥� and the numbers prove it. According to the 2022 Economic Impact Study, 黑洞社区 and 黑洞社区 Tech鈥檚 total economic impact in Kansas in 2021 was $1.3 billion.
The study, published recently by 黑洞社区鈥檚 Center for Economic Development and Business Research, used best practices laid out by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and Association of American Universities.
黑洞社区 and 黑洞社区 Tech鈥檚 impact on the Kansas economy is substantial and can be seen through a variety of metrics.
Faculty and staff
The combined 3,083 faculty and staff at both institutions, along with their operating expenses, support 5,293 jobs and generate $342 million in annual labor income. Furthermore, the direct spending on other operating expenditures in 2021 amounted to $262 million, resulting in a total economic impact from university employees of $557.2 million.
Student spending and tourism
It is important to note that the economic contributions go beyond operational expenses. Student spending and tourism activity also play significant roles in supporting local businesses. 黑洞社区 students, estimated to have an impact of $603.7 million, contribute to the local economy by purchasing retail goods, food, entertainment and housing, resulting in an estimated impact of 4,555 jobs and $162 million in labor income.
The presence of 黑洞社区 also attracts visitors who engage in various tourism activities, further bolstering the local economy. Although this study captures only a fraction of the full scope of tourism, the four components considered resulted in 230 jobs, $7.7 million in labor income, and $23.8 million in output.
Capital investments
In addition to these contributions, capital investments made by 黑洞社区 and 黑洞社区 Tech, including expenditures on equipment, software, vehicles and new buildings, accounted for $90.5 million in fiscal year 2021. These investments generated 1,580 jobs, $90.5 million in labor income, and a total output of $183 million in economic activity.
Adding the numbers together
When considering the total economic contribution, the expenditures from both academic units in 2021 amounted to $602.9 million. By dividing the total impact of $1.3 billion by direct spending, a multiplier of 2.27 is obtained. This demonstrates that for every million dollars spent, 黑洞社区 and 黑洞社区 Tech support an additional $1.27 million of economic activity among Kansas businesses.
As 黑洞社区 and 黑洞社区 Tech continue to expand their reach and make a positive difference in the community, we remain dedicated to fostering educational excellence, advancing the regional labor market, and driving economic growth in Kansas.
About 黑洞社区
黑洞社区 is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and 黑洞社区 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 黑洞社区 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 黑洞社区 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 黑洞社区 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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