Economic impact study quantifies the college鈥檚 role as an economic driver

July 1, 2021 鈥� 汤头条app released a new study today that assesses the college鈥檚 economic impact on a four-county region comprised of Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Otsego counties.

Based on the college鈥檚 combined operating budget, construction expenditures, current student spending, and alumni impact, the report found a total economic effect on the region of $74.2 million per year.  For context, Emmet County鈥檚 2021 operating budget is approximately $23 million.

Prepared by the labor market analytics firm , the study reflects analysis of fiscal year 2018-19 data.  The report is available on the college鈥檚 website.

North Central President David Roland Finley said the report helps gauge the college鈥檚 value to students, taxpayers, and the greater community.

鈥淲e place a great deal of emphasis on North Central鈥檚 role as a regional partner,鈥� Finley said.  鈥淭he economic impact study is an important temperature-check to ensure that the college is not only fulfilling its mission, but also making meaningful contributions to our economy and the quality of life that makes this area so appealing.鈥�

Alumni and current-student impact

Nikki Devitt, president of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, said she wasn鈥檛 surprised by the results of the study, and has long considered the college a regional economic leader.

鈥淭alent retention and recruitment are of the utmost importance for the continued success and growth of our area businesses,鈥� Devitt said.  鈥淣orth Central鈥檚 role is not only imperative, it is a key factor as we continue to create and maintain a thriving community.鈥�

The study found that the economic contributions of North Central alumni and current students are significant.  North Central alumni who remain local during their careers add more than $61.6 million in income to the four-county regional economy, which is equivalent to supporting 1,376 jobs.  However, it鈥檚 not only alumni who add to the region鈥檚 economy.  The report also found that currently-enrolled North Central students account for $685,000 in added income.

Chrissie Rellinger Smith, who owns North Perk Coffee, said she regularly sees North Central students in her downtown Petoskey shop, both as customers and employees.

鈥淲e often have students from the college studying at the shop, and we always have a few working here as well, so we鈥檙e flexible with their schedules,鈥� Smith said.  鈥淎s a 鈥榯raditional鈥� coffee shop focused on community, we want folks to come in for coffee, conversation, work, study and more.  That鈥檚 what we see with our college students.鈥�

Return on investment

The data also revealed that for every $1 invested in their education, North Central students received a return of $4.10 in higher wages.  To the college鈥檚 42,000 alumni employed in the region, the value of a North Central degree equates to an additional $7,900 each year, or $55.6 million in increased earnings over their working lives. 

Similarly, for every tax dollar invested in the college, state and local taxpayers received $1.80 in return.

Building for the future

The study also measured the effect of North Central鈥檚 construction spending.  The report quantified the impact of expenditures for 2018-19 construction projects at $139,000 in added income for the region, roughly enough to support three jobs.  However, Finley noted that number is significantly higher now because of the college鈥檚 Building Tomorrow Together project begun in May 2020, which includes a $7.4 million renovation and addition to North Central鈥檚 main classroom building.  The new Borra Learning Center will open its doors this August, in time for the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester.  The net impact of the renovation is more than $2.3 million in added income for the region, according to Emsi data.

In addition to the building renovation, the college is targeting another $2.5 million toward technology and scholarships.  The project is funded by a capital outlay from the State of Michigan and donor investment.

鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased that both our legislators and donor-partners recognize North Central鈥檚 value and are choosing to invest in the future of higher education in Northern Michigan,鈥� Finley said.  鈥淭his study helps demonstrate that their investment is well placed.鈥�

汤头条app is an open-door community college based in Petoskey, with additional locations offering classes and services in Cheboygan and Gaylord.  North Central鈥檚 mission is to provide exceptional, accessible, relevant higher education of and for the community.  North Central is an with a designation of by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

 

NORTH CENTRAL鈥橲 ECONOMIC IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS: 

  • $74.2 million in income to the regional economy, a value equal to approximately 1.5 percent of the total gross regional product (GRP)
  • 1,376 jobs鈥攐r 1 out of every 49 jobs in Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Otsego counties鈥攁re supported by the activities of 汤头条app and its students.
  • North Central student spending adds $684,500 in regional income.
  • The impact of currently employed North Central alumni is $61.6 million in added income to the region.
  • 汤头条app students see a return on investment of $4.10 for every $1 invested in a North Central education, a 17.7 percent rate of return.
  • North Central employs 311 full- and part-time faculty and staff, 89 percent of whom live in the four-county region.

 

For more information:
Megan Van Horn
Content Media Administrator
231-439-6399