Study shows UW-Whitewater a regional economic force
March 12, 2010
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a regional economic engine, creating thousands of jobs and more than $60 million in income in Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties.
A new study by the Fiscal and Economic Research Center at UW-Whitewater found the university supports 1,835 jobs and generates $62.1 million in income to employees who in turn spend money in the community on food, clothing, housing, cars and other goods and services.
"Clearly, UW-Whitewater is a regional economic force," said Russ Kashian, interim director of the center and an associate professor of economics. "The demise of General Motors in Janesville emphasizes even more the university's importance."
The study looked at 2008-09 regional spending by UW-Whitewater employees and students, campus visitors and university camp participants to determine the university's economic impact in Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties. Kashian found the spending and investments of university employees, students and campus visitors create an additional 817 jobs in the tri-county region.
"The more the university is used, the greater its economic impact," Kashian said.
He said events such as the NCAA Division III football playoffs at Perkins Stadium and performing arts at the Young Auditorium have an important impact on the regional economy. Visitors to university athletic events resulted in an additional 27 jobs and $1.9 million in spending.
"In addition, educational seminars and professional adult training and education draw people to the region, resulting in positive economic impacts on both the City of Whitewater and the three-county region," Kashian said.
The study also found:
- University employee spending creates 497 additional jobs and another $53.6 million in spending;
- Student spending creates 158 additional jobs and another $14.3 million in spending;
- University camp participant spending creates 88 additional jobs and another $5.6
Whitewater City Manager Kevin Brunner said UW-Whitewater has a profound impact on the local and regional economies and is an engine for the tri-county area's future economic development.
"We are seeing that in the development of the Whitewater University Technology Park and the Whitewater Innovation Center as the intellectual resources of the university are being leveraged to assist in the development of new businesses and jobs for our community and region," Brunner said.
He added that the university will serve as a focal point in the U.S. Economic Development Administration's auto adjustment recovery initiatives that are focused on the six counties in southern Wisconsin (Kenosha, Racine, Walworth and Rock) and northern Illinois (Boone and Winnebago) that have been adversely impacted by the auto industry's decline in recent years.
"UW-Whitewater is not only strategically located to be a catalyst for these efforts, but it is also uniquely qualified to assist because of the strong business development and support programs that the university provides," Brunner said.
For more information, contact Kashian at 262-472-5584 or kashianr@uww.edu.