 |
| Graduates file into Myers Auditorium in December for Southwestern Community College’s commencement ceremony in Sylva. A recent statewide study determined that the college and its alumni have a significant impact on the economy of Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary. |
Currently in its 50th year, Southwestern Community College serves Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary in such a myriad of ways that its value can be especially challenging to measure.
A report released this week attempts to do just that.
Prepared by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., a fact sheet demonstrates that the college’s overall economic impact is $126.9 million in added regional income for its service area.
“We are grateful for the information provided in this fact sheet,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC president. “We believe these statistics are a direct result of the dedication our faculty and staff have for serving our communities and helping our students succeed.”
The goal of the report, which was commissioned at the state level, is to demonstrate the economic impact of public higher education on North Carolina. In SCC’s case, EMSI found that the bulk of that effect was generated through the wage-earning impact of SCC’s alumni within the college’s service area.
The accumulated contribution of graduates and former students currently employed in the SCC service area workforce amounted to $109.2 million in regional income added to the SCC service area economy. Previous studies have shown that roughly 90 percent of Southwestern’s alumni remain and work in the area.
“It doesn’t surprise me that our alumni have such a positive effect on our region,” Dr. Tomas said. “Our alumni make up a large portion of our service-oriented jobs such as first responders, health science occupations, accountants, mechanics, cosmetology and many others.”
The study also shows that for every dollar taxpayers provide for Southwestern’s operations, the return is $3.80 in benefits due to students’ higher lifetime incomes, increased output of area businesses and a reduced demand for government-funded services.
For more information about SCC and the services it provides, visit www.southwesterncc.edu or call 828.339.4000.
