b'When economists refer to economic impacts, they are considering how local expenditures associated with a development project, business enterprise, or government institution affects output and employment in a region. With any activity, a portion of total expenditures is spent within the regional economy and a portion is spent outside the regional economy. For example, the university spends a portion of its revenue on faculty salaries and a portion of its revenues on library acquisitions. The amount of faculty salary expenditures impacts regional output and employment. This type of impact is referred to as direct economic impact. Since library acquisitions are expenditures outside the region, they are considered leakage and do not count toward the universitys economic impact on the region. A look at VSUsWhen local businesses and workers receive payment for their goods and services, they too, spend a portion of their funds in the regional economy. Using the Approximatelyuniversity example, the faculty spends a portion of their wages to buy gasoline, dine at restaurants, and $400 Millionpay for entertainment. These subsequent expenditures create more output and employment for the regional economy. Of course, the businesses and workers that Impact on thereceive the subsequent payments also spend a portion of their funds in the local economy, which creates more output and employment. The output and employment Valdosta MSA generated from the subsequent spending is known as the multiplier effect. By Cindy Tori The economic impact of Valdosta State University is associated with two university-related local expendituresspending by Valdosta State University Valdosta State Universityitself and spending by Valdosta State University students. Valdosta State University local expenditures continues to have a significantinclude faculty and staff salaries and local operating economic impact on the Valdostaexpenses. Valdosta State University student expenditures represent additional ongoing economic Metropolitan Statistical Areaactivities in the Valdosta MSA. Valdosta State University attracts students from 156 of 159 Georgia counties, 48 (Valdosta MSA). Each year Valdostastates, the District of Columbia, the five territories, and State University-related activities65 countries.generate a total economic impact ofValdosta State University and its employee direct local approximately $400 million, whichexpenditures total just over $140 million, and Valdosta State University student local expenditures is estimated supports approximately 4,700at nearly $160 million, for a total direct economic impact on output on the Valdosta MSA of $300 million. jobs in the Valdosta MSA.For every dollar spent by Valdosta State University, its 4 Langdale College of Business'