Economic Impact of Pittsburg State University:

A Community Perspective

Prepared by the Pittsburg Area Chamber of CommerceOctober 10, 2009

2007-08 Economic Impact Highlights

• Fall 2007 enrollment of 7,087 students– Students spent an average of $10,225 each– Direct economic impact of students - $73 million

• Pittsburg State University employed 1,744– Direct economic impact of employees (salary & wages) - $56.5 million

• 2005 – 2007: PSU expended almost $37 million on construction and renovation projects.

– PSU has since invested almost $26 million in projects.• Visitor impact – Over 155,000 visitors spent an estimated $24.3 million• Business & Technology Institute economic development activities - $14.7

million• Total direct economic impact - $190.5 million• Total economic impact - $768.2 million

Source: Pittsburg State University Economic Impact Highlights 2007-08

• Pitt Plastics – 519• Pitsco - 202• NPC, International – 300• Family Resource Center - 45• University Bank - 31• Morning Sun – 30• Chatter’s/Fat Daddy’s - 30• Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union – 20• Zouire - 13• Jock’s Nitch Sporting Goods - 10• Pinamonti Orthodontics - 10• Lindburg Pharmacy - 10• Coldwell Banker-Jim Bishop Realty – 8• Loree’s Bridal & Formal - 5• Re/Max University Realty – 4• Mariner Wealth Advisors – 3• Number of jobs – 1,240

Impact on Local Business

“Is it somewhat or highly likely that your business would not be located in Pittsburg or Crawford County if there were no Pittsburg State University?”

Source: Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce

Quotes from business leaders

“If I had not attended Pitt State I would have never settled in Pittsburg. I started NPC, Pitt Plastics, Nat’l Mills, Zouire, Oil business, and had a hand in the old Holiday Inn, Mariner, and other businesses. The economic impact on this community is directly related to this University.”

Gene Bicknell

“Pitsco would not be in Pittsburg, nor would it exist had it not been for:1. my coming here for a Masters degree2. learning a great deal in the School of Technology, particularly from my major advisor Dr. F.V. Sullivan3. meeting and working with two other PSU graduates who taught in the Pittsburg Schools…Mr. Max Lundquest and Mr. Terry Salmans.PSU has been a great source for us… employees and otherwise.”

Harvey Dean

“I cannot imagine Pittsburg without Pittsburg State and, since they are synonymous to me, I never put that question to thought.  I think that, over time, the presence of the university gave has given Pittsburg an edge over neighboring communities and enabled the city to become the hub of southeast Kansas.  Without PSU, the community would be too small for me to locate an orthodontic office.”

Gina Pinamonti, DDS

“The Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union was originally chartered to only serve the teachers and family members of Pitt State. The credit union has evolved since 1949 into a community credit union, with the ability to serve all area residents. However, a large part of our membership and directors continue to come from the Pitt State community.”

Mark Kolarik

Source: Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce

Those that may be here, but on a smaller scale:

• Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center-Decreased services-Fewer supporting doctors

• Names & Numbers

• Miller’s Professional Imaging/Mpix

• Ron’s Supermarket

• Eagle Beverage

• Pinamonti Physical Therapy

Source: Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce

“Pittsburg State University has been a strong positive influence to Miller's in several ways. First, it brought in numerous clients when Miller's was still a studio. However, PSU's greatest influence on Miller's Professional Imaging has been its student work force. Many of them have worked with us during their enrollment and continued their career with us after graduation. In fact, when we decided to build another location, we wanted to duplicate the business environment that we have in Pittsburg, This is why Columbia, Missouri, a Midwestern town with several universities, was chosen. 

We cannot imagine what our labor profile would be without PSU. We may have had to move from Pittsburg without it.”

Dick Coleman“Without PSU our business would be completely different.  If we didn't have the faculty and students in town to shop it would be much more difficult to offer all the departments we do.  We wouldn't have a cafe, salad bar, and our Bakery/Deli would have to be downsized.  Those departments require lots of foot traffic to support them.  Second we need a quality staff to manage those departments.  Without the option of hiring PSU students we would struggle to offer the service we feel those departments demand.”

Drew RhodesSource: Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce

In my opinion, likely others that either wouldn’t be here or would be on a smaller scale:

• The Home Depot• Chili’s• Starbucks• Applebee’s• Second locations for McDonald’s, Subway• Most hotels

University’s Effect on the Local Workforce

204 local employers utilized Gorillas4Hire (Career Services online job search engine – free to students) as a free classified ad throughout the 2009 fiscal year. From those postings, approximately 315 PSU students were hired.

Through another program, PSU partners with local businesses and provides 50% of qualified students’ wages. In FY2009 over $20,000 in wages were covered by this program.

The Career Services office also provided free assistance to more than 100 alumni and community members looking for resume and cover letter help and job search assistance or career counseling.

Approximately 80% of PSU students are employed

Source: Pittsburg State University Career Services Office

Culture/Arts

PALS – Performing Arts & Lecture Series• 2009 - 2010 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS• September 21, 2009 - Meeting David Wilson• November 20, 2009 - Dinner Theater –

"Citizen Candy Kane"• February 6, 2010 - The Blanks

(aka Ted's Band from "Scrubs")• March 5, 2010 - PSU Jazz Festival Concert

feat. John Fedchock New York Big Band• April 22, 2010 - The Most Trusted Stranger

in America: Frank Warren's PostSecret

Women In Government Lecture Series• Kathleen Kennedy Townsend• Helen Thomas Gene DeGruson Memorial Lectures

Brandenburg Lecture Series & Medallion• 2003 – H. Lee Scott, former CEO and

president of Wal-Mart• 2004 – Former Governor of Kansas Bill Graves• 2008 – John Lowe, ConocoPhillips executive 

Art Exhibits

Music• Southeast Kansas Symphony • PSU Jazz Festival

Source: Pittsburg State University Office of Public Relations

Volunteer Effect

Organizations• Pittsburg Area Young Professionals• Pittsburg Noon Rotary Club• Pittsburg Sunrise Rotary Club• Pittsburg Noon Kiwanis Club• Pittsburg Sunflower Kiwanis Club• Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce• Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation• Family Resource Center• YMCA• Highway 69 Association

2006 Public Safety Center Bond IssuePittsburg NOW

International Diversity

• about 40 countries represented in PSU international student population• about 500 international students enrolled• about 40 international faculty from about 20 countries• 6-7 different cultural events are presented each year on campus or in the

community• international students make numerous cultural presentations in area schools

and community organizations• many international students serve as translators for area businesses and

institutions (i.e. Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center)• Chinese Culture Club gives weekly Chinese language lessons for free• Study Abroad• We send about 100 students out each year to 15-20 countries• They bring back an international perspective and an ability to engage

different cultures as they enter the workforce.

Source: Pittsburg State University International Affairs Office

International Events

• Spring Food and Culture Fair• Fall Taste and Sounds of Nation• Diwali Festival by the Indian Student

Association • Moon Festival by the Chinese Student

Association• Chinese New Year Celebration• Korean Culture Day• Eid (end of Ramadan) by the Saudi Student

Association in the fall

Source: Pittsburg State University International Affairs Office

Education

• In the 2009 fiscal year, 60 students were placed in area elementary and junior high schools as tutors at no cost to those institutions. The cost of those tutors providing over 10,500 hours of tutoring to local youth, totaled more than $70,000 and was covered 100% by PSU.

• Local teachers receive all licensure hours from PSU. Without the university, teachers would be forced to travel further for training. Advanced degrees would be difficult.

Sources: Pittsburg State University Career Services Office, USD 250

Additional thoughts

Vendor Effect

National Guard Armory

City Services• Parks• Police/Fire Protection• Utilities• Infrastructure• Public Transit

Projected Percent Population Change for Kansas by County2000-2030

Sustainability

“From the curriculum, to recycling, to procurement, to storm water runoff, to the use of pesticides, to solid waste disposal, to university vehicles, to the construction of new facilities, we’ve got to take a more responsible approach to what we do.”

Dr. Steve Scott,PSU President

Sources: Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce117 West Fourth Street

Pittsburg, KS 66762

www.PittsburgAreaChamber.com