A recent economic impact study looked at the benefits of Fort Scott Community College to students, taxpayers, and social perspectives.
“The economic impact of Kansas community colleges is significant and the workforce development provided by each college
across the state of Kansas is vital to a prosperous Kansas economy,” said Heather Morgan, Executive Director of the Kansas
Association of Community Colleges in a press release.
The study provided insights into how Kansas community colleges contribute not only to individual student success but also to the broader prosperity of Kansas according to Empowering Communities- The Economic Impact of Kansas Community Colleges MW(1)
“The college is excited to see the results of the study, which are highly favorable as it relates to the economic impact both within the community and the region,” FSCC’s President Dr. Jason Kegler said. “Our ability to provide such a positive impact would not be possible without the continued support of our community. This study opens the door for us to pursue additional partnerships designed to enhance our impact. The future of the community and this college is bright.”
In the fiscal year 2021-22, Kansas community colleges were
found to have made a $6.7 billion impact on the state’s economy. Expressed in terms of jobs: the direct and indirect impact from all Kansas community colleges supported 106,234 jobs this last year, according to the press release.
“The southeast Kansas community colleges have a higher economic impact than the state average in terms of return on investment for local taxpayers”, said Dr. Kegler.
The average taxpayers’ return on investment for southeast Kansas community colleges is $2.50 for every dollar invested which is higher than the average across the state, according to the press release.
The results of this study demonstrate that FSCC creates value from multiple perspectives, according to FSCC_ExecSum(1). The college benefits regional businesses by increasing consumer spending in the region and supplying a steady flow of qualified, trained workers to the workforce.
FSCC enriches the lives of students by raising their lifetime earnings and helping them achieve their potential, according to an FSCC press release. The college benefits state and local taxpayers through increased tax receipts and reduced demand for government-supported social services. Finally, FSCC benefits society as a whole in Kansas by creating a more prosperous economy and generating a variety of savings through the improved lifestyles of students.
To view the total report in the FSCC press release: