The economic impact of Missouri Southern on Jasper County in 2013-14 was almost $200 million, according to a recent economic impact study.

The study was commissioned in order to better quantify that financial impact and to effectively communicate the findings with local leaders and stakeholders.

It was conducted by Impact DataSource, a nationally recognized consulting, research and analysis firm in Austin, Texas.  IDS has conducted more than 2,500 economic impact studies for a variety of private and governmental clients, including universities such as North Dakota State, Texas A&M, Texas Christian, Ohio State, Mississippi and Minnesota State.

Among the study’s key findings:

• Missouri Southern had a total economic impact on Jasper
  County of $198.6 million in 2013-14. This included
  direct and indirect workers’ earnings, economic output
  by the institution, and spending by visitors.
• MSSU directly employs 697 individuals with an additional
  700 “spin-off” jobs in the local economy. Total
  workers’ earnings for these 1,397 jobs was $65.5 million.
• The direct financial impact of university operations on
  the economy was $105.4 million. This takes the form of
  output or sales by the institution.
• Every MSSU student spends, on average, $12,262 per
  year in Jasper County.
• 97,544 spectators and non-spectators visit MSSU’s campus
  each year, generating $13,215,177 in economic impact.

Dr. Alan Marble said the study’s findings should not come as a surprise.

“From the money our students and employees spend in the region to
the dollars that are generated as parents and fans attend events on campus,
Missouri Southern is making a powerful fiscal impact,” he said.

View the entire report here.