Middle Georgia State University contributed a total of nearly $268 million to the economy in fiscal 2021 – an 8 percent increase over the previous year - and accounted for more than 2,600 jobs due to on- and off-campus spending, according to a recent report released by the University System of Georgia.

As a whole, the University System of Georgia (USG) contributed a total of $19.3 billion to the state’s economy between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, a significant economic impact across the state.

Middle Georgia State (MGA) is one of the University System’s 26 institutions. According to the report, MGA’s economic impact is primarily felt in the counties where the institution has campuses – Bibb (Macon), Bleckley (Cochran), Laurens (Dublin), Dodge (Eastman, the home base of the University’s School of Aviation), and Houston (Warner Robins).  The University’s positive economic impact is felt also in Jones, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, Twiggs, Baldwin, Wilkinson, Lamar, and Pulaski counties.

“Middle Georgia State University, where stewardship is one of our core values, is a tremendous asset to this region in so many ways, both tangible and intangible,” said Dr. Christopher Blake, MGA president.  “As this report shows, the University represents a major public investment that pays growing dividends to communities and individuals and families across the heart of our state and beyond.”

Sonny Perdue, USG chancellor, said that “USG institutions and the system as a whole are key contributors to our state and are an economic engine for communities in every region of Georgia. That economic impact continues to climb, and we are grateful to Gov. Brian Kemp and the General Assembly for their support of the University System and public higher education as we focus on increasing prosperity for the state and all Georgians.”

Included in the fiscal 2021 initial spending by USG institutions are rounds of funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which are federal funds allocated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act that provided emergency grants for postsecondary education.

Read the full economic impact report here.