From the desk of Deborah Dietzler

UGA boosts local economy

UGA’s Selig Center for Economic Growth reports the university was a “stabilizing economic force for the Athens area in FY 09,” according to a news release.  A Selig study says UGA pumped more than $2.2 billion into the local economy during the last fiscal year.  Selig’s director of economic forecasting Dr. Jeff Humphreys ‘82, ‘88 said despite a weak economy, the university contributed more money to the Athens area during the period than in the previous fiscal year.  “The recession has had a big impact, particularly on expenditures by the institutions themselves because of cutbacks in state spending for personnel and operating expenses, but it seems like it hasn’t because the numbers keep growing,” said Dr. Humphreys.  The study showed that for every $1 spent by UGA, $1.51 was added to the regional economy.