Georgian College still paying off since 1977

BRACEBRIDGE — A year after the loss of Nipissing University here last June there’s good and bad news.

Georgian College’s economic impact on Bracebridge and Muskoka has been very posititve, says a report for the college.

It’s good that an independent replacement educator has been found, but the economic impact of that well-recognized post secondary institution has been quantified.

And it’s not good news if you look at it in terms of the loss of Nipissing; but good news in its replace and in the fact that its old neighbor, the much-overlooked Georgian College continues to turn out grads decades after coming to town in 1977.

Fortunately, a new study undertaken by Economic Modeling Specialists International (ESMI) examined the impact of the longtime adjacent Georgian College and their seven campuses on their catchment area’s economies, including Barrie and Orillia.

According to a Town of Bracebridge release Friday, to demonstrate the benefits of Georgian College for Bracebridge and Muskoka, a fact sheet has been produced that focusses on the economic impact of the Georgian’s Muskoka campus on the District of Muskoka and the Town of Bracebridge.

Highlights from the Muskoka campus fact sheet are as follows:

  • Georgian College – Muskoka Campus creates a significant positive impact on the business community and generates a return on investment to its major stake holder groups – students, taxpayers and society;
  • During the analysis year (fiscal year 2016-2017) Muskoka Campus and its students added $5.7 million in income to the District of Muskoka economy, approximately equal to 0.4% of the region’s total gross regional product (GRP);
  • The Muskoka Campus impact supported 71 jobs in the analysis year;
  • For the Town of Bracebridge, the campus and its students added $1.8 million in income, approximately equal to 0.3% of the local region’s total GRP, supporting 25 jobs;
  • The report indicates that 3 students relocated to the District of Muskoka from outside of the region to attend the Muskoka Campus with an additional 12 relocating to Bracebridge.
In addition to student grads who have gotten jobs, GC has created dozens of jobs locally adding to the post secondary school’s economic impact on Muskoka.

These relocated and retained students spent money at local businesses to purchase groceries, rental accommodation, and pay for transport. In Bracebridge, the relocated and retained students added approximately $34,771 in income to the local economy.

“This study confirms the significant contribution that the Muskoka Campus has on the town,” says Mayor Graydon Smith in the release. “It is an important community asset that not only prepares our youth to be skilled, innovative thinkers who contribute to their workplace and community. This has a direct positive impact on Bracebridge and Muskoka.”

“We look forward to the Muskoka Campus continuing to be a strong presence in our community,” added Mac Greaves, principal at Georgian College

“The relationship between the College and the Town is very important for both parties; each entity feeds off the success of the other. I anticipate that our relationship with the community will continue to be mutually beneficial for years to come.”

To see programs offered at Georgian College’s Bracebridge site go to:

Muskoka Campus

And to see a copy of the executive summary, it can be found at: http://georgiancollege.uberflip.com/i/985337-emsieconomic-impact-documents