Local colleges continue to add to make impact on community

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July 14, 2010

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Wed Jul 14, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — There’s a lot that can be said about the uniqueness of a community the size of Milledgeville with three local colleges. Their impact economically, culturally and educationally to Baldwin County is no doubt vital to the success of the community.

In the annual study issued by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business indicates that Georgia College, the state’s only public liberal arts university, brought more than $200 million into the local economy during the last fiscal year, an increase of more than $10 million from the previous year.

Despite the economy’s low moments and job losses all around Baldwin County, the university, along with Central Georgia Technical College and Georgia Military College for their impact, has remained a bright spot in a series of challenging financial months. The university provides jobs for nearly 800 people, many whose spouses work here as well. There are also the jobs the regional jobs that are a result of the university’s presence, which topped more than 2,000 last year, according to the report, supporting residents in the neighboring counties including Putnam, Hancock, Wilkinson and Jones. Both GCSU and

GMC rank among the counties largest employers, which says a lot considering the job losses felt by Baldwin County during the past two years.

Then there are the other aspects that the report may not have indicated, but should not be overlooked in the assessment of the local colleges by the local community. They are the cultural elements such as the arts and cultural programs and events put on each year at venues such as Russell Auditorium, the Magnolia Ballroom, and also the Goldstein Center for the Performing Arts. These venues and others at the local colleges bring visitors from surrounding areas to the local community, and they also enhance cultural value through the performances they house each year.

What should also be considered in this $200 million impact is the impact the GCSU brings by way of student dollars spent in other business establishments, which goes to support the local business community.

A lot can be said about having three local colleges in a community the size of Milledgeville, and what is most significant is the level of viability they add to the local economy and educational opportunities for all of Baldwin County and the surrounding areas.

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