UWG News Archive

UWG's Economic Impact

October 7, 2003

CARROLLTON, GA - Take a look around you. Carroll County is growing at a rapid pace. New industries, new goals, new faces — and the University of West Georgia is helping to build a firm foundation for that growth.

As the University’s major fundraiser, A DAY for West Georgia, draws closer, businesses and individuals are asked to invest in the institution. Most community members know of the significant contributions the University’s presence has on the region. Cooperative town and gown ventures flourish in an incredible arena that affects nearly every aspect of life in Carroll County.

Numerous academic programs impact the economic health of the region. The University’s Computer Science Department supports local high-tech companies by providing a highly skilled work force for the industry and offering opportunities for the current work force to retrain to meet future needs. In return, such companies as Greenway Technologies provide computer science students with jobs, internship and co-op opportunities and scholarship support.

UWG News Photo Tanner Health System and UWG have made a three-year commitment to share a Nursing Resource Center coordinator who works to enhance the expertise of Tanner nurses as well as develop the skills of UWG nursing students. UWG has also implemented a new Master of Science in Nursing degree to prepare nurses to serve as health system leaders and educators.

As an integral part of its commitment to community service, UWG helps develop community leaders with its Leadership Institute in Continuing Education and through participation in Carroll Leaders Tomorrow. The University also offers meeting space and performance venues for area civic and cultural groups in such facilities as the Food Service Center, University Community Center and Townsend Center for the Performing Arts.

Local economics teachers now have their own center to turn to for resources and training thanks to the revitalization of the UWG Center for Economic Education by the College of Education and Richards College of Business. The center offers K-12 teachers courses and workshops on basic economics concepts and in-service courses on such topics as the stock market, personal finance and international economics.

Nominated for the Carter Partnership Award for effective collaboration, the University together with Latinos United of Carroll County (LUCC) strives to address as well as anticipate a variety of needs of its Hispanic neighbors. In the third year of partnership, the LUCC (in cooperation with UWG and the Carroll Housing Authority) has opened and operated a free community clinic, involving University students from nursing, psychology and other disciplines.
In addition to providing resources to a town and gown partnership, UWG contributes significantly to the region’s economy in several ways. As Carroll County’s fourth largest-employer, the University created a total of 2,733 jobs in the area in fiscal year 2001. Of these, 1,820 full-time and part-time jobs were created off campus as a result of the spending associated with the University.

UWG has also provided 1,976 job opportunities “on campus that include, but goes way beyond, the employment of faculty, secretaries, maintenance workers, custodial staff, service workers, and student workers, all from this region” explained Daniel Jackson, vice president of Carroll Tomorrow.

In a survey conducted for Carroll Tomorrow in February of 2000, the University was given the highest ranking as an asset to business and economic growth. According to survey results, UWG has established itself as a “foundation of a growing, diverse economy,” and because of this foundation, industries are setting goals to become a part of Carroll County’s expanding economy. One such industry is Decoma International.

Decoma International Inc., an automotive company, is set to open its Southplas Manufacturing Plant in Carrollton that will employ over 1,000 residents of the county and state. With the combination of the University’s output of trained professionals and graduates and this corporation’s window of employment opportunity, strong ties will be secured between this town and gown venture. Through it’s employment and structures, Decoma is projected to make an investment of $140 million in assets to the area.

While making investments in community and business growth and employment opportunities, UWG also impacts the economy through its direct spending in the West Georgia area. Expenditures for the University in 2001 totaled $218 million and have averaged that level since measured. This total includes all spending on the University’s employee wages, operating expenses, equipment, and capital projects such as the Technology Learning Center and the rebuilding of Adamson Hall. Students’ personal expenditures alone resulted in an output of $78.5 million back into the economy.

A DAY for West Georgia, the centerpiece of UWG’s fund raising efforts, connects town and gown on numerous levels. Community and University volunteers, students, and business organizations come together to support the tradition of the campaign that raised $2.4 million in donations and in-kind gifts last year. Contributions made to UWG’s annual fund are used to support University wide initiatives not funded through tax dollars.

For more information about A DAY for West Georgia, call 770-836-6582.

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