Study Shows $280m Annual Impact By Una On Shoals Economy

Jul. 10, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The Univerksity of North Alabama and its students, faculty and staff impact the Shoals area by about $279,935,300 each year in direct and indirect spending, according to a recent study. The study was conducted by faculty of the university's Department of Economics and Finance. "The Shoals community is vital to UNA, and so it is important for the university, in turn, to show the growth and development we are able to bring to the Shoals," said Dr. William G. Cale Jr., UNA president. The economic research team included Dr. Doug Barrett, chair of the UNA Department of Economics and Finance; Dr. Jim Couch, professor of economics; and Dr. Keith Malone, associate professor of economics. The team collected all research data in 2011 and prepared the study in 2012. The study was completed using UNA records as well as surveys conducted among university faculty, staff and students. The study analyzed UNA's local economic impact through university operations, contractor operations, student and employee spending, and spending through university events and guests. The study also included community service hours by university employees. The UNA economic impact study is available at www.una.edu/impactstudy.