NEW STUDY SHOWS BLINN PROVIDES $370.1 MILLION ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR LOCAL ECONOMIES
A new study presented to Blinn trustees Tuesday indicates the Blinn College District makes a $370.1 million economic impact on its local business community.
The study, conducted by Emsi, a provider of economic impact studies to educational institutions, shows that Blinn’s annual economic impact supports the equivalent of 6,010 jobs each year. The $370.1 million total includes $242.1 million in added income for Blinn students who enter the workforce.
Blinn also generates a $90.9 million operational spending impact each year and $4.9 million in construction spending, which includes the creation of new facilities to meet growing educational demands and the maintenance of current facilities.
Student spending generates a $32.2 million annual benefit to the community. Approximately 77 percent of Blinn students originate from outside the College’s service area, while many students relocate to the region, spending their money locally at regional businesses.
The study found that the Brenham Campus generates a $70.7 million annual impact on Washington County and supports 1,560 jobs, or one out of every 16 jobs in the county. The Bryan Campus provides a $164.1 million annual impact and supports 3,049 jobs, one out of every 47 jobs in Brazos County. At the RELLIS Campus, Blinn provides a $10.2 million benefit to Brazos County and supports 114 jobs. The Schulenburg Campus generates a $4.7 million annual impact on Fayette County and supports 90 jobs, and the Sealy Campus provides a $2.2 annual benefit to Austin County while supporting 32 jobs.
The study also analyzed the return students, taxpayers, and society receive in return for their investment in Blinn. Per the study, students receive a 14 percent rate of return on their investment in a Blinn education, while taxpayers receive a 13.6 percent rate of return. Additionally, for every dollar invested in Blinn, Texas residents receive $13.10 in return for as long as Blinn students remain active in the state workforce.
The board was also presented with a study analyzing the projected economic benefits of five of the College’s capital projects between 2017 and 2026: the Walter C. Schwartz Building and upcoming Phase II academic building on the RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Mill Creek Hall, the forthcoming student housing complex, and the science, technology, engineering, and innovation building under construction on the Brenham Campus. These five projects, which cost $169.6 million in initial construction costs, will generate an additional $137.5 million in economic benefits for the community over that 10-year span and will provide economic benefits for the community beyond that time period.
Blinn Chancellor Dr. Mary Hensley said Blinn is “proud of its positive economic benefits to Central Texas,” providing students education and skills for tomorrow’s economy while providing a real benefit to today’s business economy.
For more information regarding the impact study, visit www.blinn.edu/impact.