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GCC impact figures are questioned
Germanna and UMW economic impact studies can't be compared, officials say
Date published: 11/23/2008
BY JEFF BRANSCOME AND KAREN BOLIPATA
Does Germanna Community College really have twice as much economic impact on the area as the University of Mary Washington?
No, says George Mason University professor Stephen Fuller, who conducted a recent economic-impact study for UMW.
Germanna overstated its influence on the economy by including $228.4 million in income of its past students working in the area, he said.
"To take credit for the [non-college] payroll is just totally inappropriate," he said.
That's how Germanna came up with a local impact of $241.2 million a year, while UMW's impact was $115.2 million, he said.
Fuller's study factored in spending by the university and its students, visitors, employees and local retirees.
Annike Christophersen, a manager at Economic Modeling Specialists Inc., defended her study of Germanna, saying students who graduate from universities often find employment outside the region. Most Germanna students have roots in the Fredericksburg area.
"Community colleges, for them, a lot of their students remain in the area and generate benefits there, so that also will contribute to their larger impact," she said.
It's not accurate to compare the two studies, Christophersen said.
"Because our study has a large impact, it doesn't mean that the community college is doing better," she said.
Fuller agrees: "It may be interesting, but they're not comparable studies, and they don't get bragging rights over Mary Washington, because they're just measuring different activities."
Fuller said it's impossible to put a dollar value on the benefits of an education.
"I've never seen anybody take credit for their graduates' work," he said. "It's a good point to make. I make it as a statement of the cultural contribution of the school. Other than saying that, I can't put a dollar value on it."
Besides, he said, students could accept jobs not related to their areas of study.
"The university can't claim the total benefit of those workers because they didn't create the jobs," he said. "It's reaching too far."
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com
GERMANNA
$15.6 million
Payroll
$55,700
Student spending (only those who live outside the region)
$12.8 million
Spending by employees and operating and capital expenses
$228.4 million
Past-student income
MARY WASHINGTON
$32.4 million
Payroll for local employees
$74.3 million
Spending by UMW and its students, employees and local retirees
$14.8 million
Capital spending |
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Date published: 11/23/2008
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