MSU-Bozeman Adds $108 Million to Local Economy

03/21/01 BOZEMAN -- Montana State University-Bozeman added $108 million to the Gallatin County economy in fiscal 1995, according to a study released today by MSU-Bozeman President Michael Malone. That figure is an $8 million increase over the university’s economic impact for the previous year, MSU officials said.

As the money recirculated through the county, it generated another $74.5 million in economic activity, bringing the total direct and indirect economic impact to $182.6 million for the year, Malone said.

"MSU is one of the primary economic engines driving the rapid creation of new jobs and new businesses in the Gallatin Valley," Malone said. "Recent growth in our economic contribution is especially evident in the vibrant construction program on campus which has doubled the number of jobs in the community supported by MSU purchases and helped prepare for the influx of new students expected yet this decade."

The figures released today are part of MSU-Bozeman’s Economic Impact Study for fiscal year 1995, the year for which the most current statistics are available. The study was prepared by Cel Johnson, director of MSU’s Office of Institutional Research with assistance from Douglas Young, MSU professor of economics, and Dianna Wojtowicz, university controller.

Other highlights from MSU-Bozeman’s the report include:

• MSU’s purchases in Gallatin County supported nearly 1,000 jobs in addition to the 2,200 men and women who are employed on the campus. It is the county’s largest employer.
• MSU faculty and staff spent more than $26 million for goods and services in the county.
• MSU faculty and staff contributed nearly $1 million to local charities and worthy causes.
• MSU students spend nearly $52 million in Gallatin County in fiscal 1995.
• MSU accounts for more than a quarter of the county’s total economic base. That percentage is larger than the county’s total trade center activity and is also larger than tourism.

The Gallatin County economic impact figures were released today in conjunction with similar studies on other Montana counties where other MSU campuses are located. The Bozeman campus is the central administrative unit for all of Montana State University with affiliated campuses in Havre, Billings and Great Falls.

A year in preparation, the economic impact report was based on data from university financial, student and personnel information. MSU surveyed faculty and staff to obtain information unavailable from university records and consulted university offices for information about campus visitors.

"We were deliberately conservative in our estimates," Johnson said. "For example, we excluded part-time students from all expenditure calculations except those for books and supplies. We based student expenditures on figures used by our financial aid officers in awarding aid, although we are aware that many students spend more than these amounts while attending college."

A complete copy of the report may be obtained by contacting the MSU Office of University Relations (406) 994-4571. The office also has a separate report on the combined economic impact of all four MSU campuses on the state’s economy.

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