New Study: Blinn Provides $370.1 Million Annual Benefit for Local Economies

The Blinn College District makes a $370.1 million economic impact on its local business community each year, according to a new study released in October.

“As an economic driver for the communities we serve, it is gratifying to see these figures and recognize their importance,” said Charles Moser, Chair of the Blinn College District Board of Trustees. “Blinn strives to be both an excellent institution of higher education and a supportive neighbor to local businesses throughout our service area.”

The study, conducted by Emsi, a leading provider of economic impact studies to educational institutions, shows that Blinn’s annual economic impact supports the equivalent of 6,010 jobs each year. The $370.1 million total includes $242.1 million in added income for Blinn students who enter the workforce with newly acquired knowledge and skills.

Blinn also generates a $90.9 million operational spending impact each year and $4.9 million in construction spending, which includes the creation of new facilities to meet the growing educational demands of the communities it serves and the maintenance of current facilities.

Student spending generates a $32.2 million annual benefit to the community. Approximately 77% of Blinn students originate from outside the College’s service area and many relocate to the region, spending their money locally at regional businesses.

The study found that the Brenham Campus generates a $70.7 million annual impact on Washington County and supports

While Blinn provides students the education and skills they need to compete in tomorrow’s economy, it also provides a real benefit to today’s business economy. From operational spending and construction to the benefits of an affordable education, Blinn is proud of its positive economic benefits to Central Texas.

- Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District

1,560 jobs, or one out of every 16 jobs in the county. The Bryan Campus provides a $164.1 million annual impact and supports 3,049 jobs (one out of every 47 jobs in the county). At the RELLIS Campus, Blinn provides a $10.2 million benefit to Brazos County and supports 114 jobs. The Blinn-Schulenburg Campus generates a $4.7 million annual impact on Fayette County and supports 90 jobs, and the Sealy Campus provides a $2.2 million annual benefit to Austin County and supports 32 jobs.

The study also analyzed the return students, taxpayers, and society receive in return for their investment in Blinn College. Per the study, students receive a 14% rate of return on their investment in a Blinn education, while Washington County taxpayers receive a 13.6% rate of return (Washington County is the only county in Blinn’s taxing district). Additionally, for every dollar invested in Blinn, Texas residents receive $13.10 in return for as long as Blinn students remain active in the state workforce.

The board also was presented with a study analyzing the projected economic benefits of five of the College’s capital projects between 2017 and 2026: the Walter C. Schwartz Building and forthcoming Phase II academic building on the RELLIS Campus in Bryan, and Mill Creek Hall, the forthcoming student housing complex, and the forthcoming science, technology, engineering, and innovation building on the Brenham Campus.

These five projects, which cost $169.6 million in initial construction costs, will generate an additional $137.5 million in economic benefits for the community over that 10-year span and will continue to provide the community with economic benefits well beyond that time period.

For more information regarding the impact study, visit www.blinn.edu/ impact.