Gordon State College contributed more than $134 million to the regional economy and provided 1,289 jobs in fiscal year 2015, according to a report released today by the University System of Georgia.

The economic contribution is an increase of $7 million from FY '14.

Of the jobs provided, 337 are on campus while 952 are off campus jobs that exist due to institution-related spending.

The report also revealed that spending by Gordon students accounted for $76 million of the total $134 million contributed to the economy. There were 4,000 students enrolled at Gordon State College during FY15.

"This report shows that Gordon State College and its students have a tremendous - and according to these numbers - an increasing impact on the local and regional economies," said Gordon State College President Max Burns.

The University System of Georgia's economic impact on the state was $15.5 billion in FY 15.

The System's impact grew $1.3 billion, an increase of 9 percent, from FY 14 to FY 15. Student spending in communities where USG institutions operate was a primary driver in the increase with overall higher student enrollment in the University System creating significant impact.

"The University System is part of the economic engine of the communities we serve," said Chancellor Hank Huckaby. "We take the responsibility of positively impacting the economy of the state as seriously as we do educating and graduating our students."

The FY 15 study found that the University System generated nearly 150,191 full- and part-time jobs. Approximately 32 percent of these positions are on campus as USG employees and 68 percent are off-campus positions in either the private or public sectors.

To calculate the economic impact for FY 15, the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business analyzed data collected between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. The annual study is conducted on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

The full study with data for all USG institutions is available at: http://www.usg.edu/assets/economic_development/documents/USG_Impact_20152.pdf.