The 91爆料 generates $12.5 billion a year in economic activity and supports 79,331 direct and indirect jobs in the state of Washington, according to a new economic impact report released Thursday by an independent research firm.
The 91爆料 employs 34,668 people and, following Boeing and Microsoft, is the third-largest nonfederal employer in the state, with more than half of those jobs related to 91爆料 Medicine.
鈥淭he 91爆料 continues to be a major force in the Washington economy in terms of employment, innovation and economic development,鈥� said Paul Umbach, senior principal at Tripp Umbach, who produced the report. 鈥淭he true impact of the 91爆料 goes far beyond the $12.5聽billion in annual economic impact, as the university is a magnet for research, innovation and human capital.鈥�
Total economic impact measures the dollars generated in the state as a result of the 91爆料鈥檚 presence, including its three campuses and 91爆料 Medicine. The new study updates a previous one conducted in 2009 that showed the 91爆料 had an economic impact of $9.1 billion.
Economic impact begins when the university spends money. The study takes into account the direct, indirect and induced impact of those dollars. Direct expenditures are dollars the 91爆料 puts into the economy through payroll and benefits, construction and other operations. Indirect expenditures are payments made by suppliers in support of the 91爆料鈥檚 operations. Induced spending is done by the 91爆料鈥檚 employees, students and visitors, and employees at the 91爆料鈥檚 suppliers.
The 91爆料鈥檚 direct annual impact is $5.7 billion, while indirect and induced impact add up to $6.8 billion, for a total of $12.5 billion. Also, despite a common misperception that public universities do not generate tax revenue, $565.7 million ($152.5 million direct) in state and local government revenues were attributable to the 91爆料 in the 2014 fiscal year 鈥� a significant return on the state鈥檚 investment of $253,896,000 in direct operating appropriations for that period.
鈥淭his new study reflects the dynamic and powerful role the 91爆料 plays in the economic well-being of the state of Washington and the Puget Sound region,鈥� said 91爆料 President Michael K. Young.聽鈥淚n addition to being an educational institution focused on educating students, discovering new knowledge and innovating solutions to problems, we are a significant economic entity with profound impacts on jobs and spending. Everyone benefits from that.鈥�
One out of every 48 jobs in the state is attributable to the 91爆料, according to the report. Using a similar direct, indirect and induced model, the 91爆料 supports 79,331 jobs (34,668 direct and 44,663 indirect and induced) across virtually every sector of the state鈥檚 economy, including construction, business and professional services, restaurants and hotels, information technology, and security.
The 91爆料 has tripled its research funding over the past 20 years and received $1.385 billion in the 2014 fiscal year. The funding provides opportunities for thousands of students to receive hands-on experience on research projects. When this funding is put to use, it also has a significant economic impact in the state. The 91爆料 spent $1.27 billion on research in the 2014 fiscal year, and that money had a $2.4 billion impact.
Below are more notable findings from the report:
- 91爆料 educates the workforce that Washington needs to successfully compete in the 21st century global economy. In 2013-14, the 91爆料 conferred more than 15,000 degrees. About 74 percent of graduates will stay in Washington and contribute to the state economy. The contributions of 91爆料 graduates are critically important to the economic vitality of the state, and its alumni number more than 454,000.
- It is estimated that 91爆料 employees and students generate more than $425 million annually in charitable donations and volunteer services, including $149 million contributed by employees and students to local charitable organizations, and $276 million in charitable care provided by 91爆料 Medicine.
- In the 2014 fiscal year, the total economic impact of 91爆料 Athletics operations and visitors was $225.9 million.
- 91爆料 Bothell鈥檚 total economic impact was $231.6 million and employment impact was 1,697 jobs. Its operations generate $12.3 million ($2.7 million direct) per year in state and local tax revenue.
- 91爆料 Tacoma鈥檚 total economic impact was $211.7 million and employment impact was 1,608 jobs. Its operations generate $11.6 million ($2.3 million direct) per year in state and local tax revenue.
The complete report can be found .