As a result of GCSU’s local impact, Central Georgia’s regional economy has increased to $308 million. The amount has grown by 1.8% over the last year and $26 million over the previous three years. GCSU has created 2,838 jobs, both on and off campus. These jobs provide income for college students and people in Milledgeville.
“Creating more jobs directly impacts the region surrounding us because of how this affects the economy,” said Keeley Casalou, a junior marketing major and economics minor. “More people working means increased income for all those people. That money goes back into the surrounding region in the housing market, restaurant industry, small businesses, etc. It will lead to a big increase in demand in the market which means more profits for business and potentially even more job openings.”
This economic impact from GCSU goes into Baldwin, Bibb, Hancock, Jones, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties.
“Besides the job market, GCSU has a large economic impact on the profits of local businesses,” Casalou said. “When school is in session it brings thousands of students pouring money into the local community. This is a very positive effect. However, there are downsides as well. Thinking about the summer when students are gone, many businesses will experience a decrease in profits due to a decrease in the number of consumers. These could be profits that are essential to the business functioning.”
With the amount of students and faculty GCSU holds and supports throughout the year, GCSU and its surrounding area are highly impacted. Whether this be through the economy or providing jobs and income for families.
“The best way to think about GCSU’s impact would be to imagine Baldwin County without GCSU,” said Cullen Wallace, an assistant professor of economics. “Obviously, a good number of faculty, staff and students would not live here and would not contribute to the local economy. It must be true that because GCSU exists, there are benefits to Milledgeville and the surrounding area; however, I’m doubtful that we can precisely estimate this impact.”
During GCSU’s Weekend of Welcome each August, the incoming freshman class participates in GC Gives Day. Groups of students spent the day working at 37 different sites across the Greater Milledgeville area.
Some work sites included Bike Walk Baldwin, Georgia War Veterans Home, Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot, Inc., LLC and Stepping Stone Child Advocacy and Sexual Assault Center.
It is estimated that GC Gives Day generated approximately $120,000 worth of student-donated labor.
Macie McCollough, a freshman biology major, participated in GC Gives Day this year. Her group sorted board games at the Local Boys and Girls Club.
“I enjoyed GC gives day when it came down to meeting new people in my grade and major,” McCollough said. “I feel like it didn’t relate to my major and it wasn’t super correlated to what I’m passionate about. I think it impacts the community around Georgia College more than we think it does because a lot of hands does a lot of work.”
It is clear that GCSU makes a big impact on the region through GC Gives Day. Through the amount of labor that GCSU provides the community, GCSU inevitably makes quite the economic dent.
