The college represents $138.7 million in annual economic impact on the local area
SMITHFIELD — A new, in-depth economic impact analysis found that Johnston Community College has an annual impact of $138.7 million on the region’s economy. The college supports 2,774 jobs each year, or one in 29 jobs in Johnston County.
The impact of increased earnings on Johnston Community College graduates and the companies they work for has totaled more than $100 million annually.
“These numbers confirm that JCC is consistent with its mission and working diligently for the upward mobility of its students and our local economy. I am grateful for the efforts of our employees to support significant and positive impacts that result in measurable economic value for the county and the great state of North Carolina,” said David Johnson, President of Johnston Community College.
The report also evaluates the economic impact of five Johnston Community College programs on the region’s economy, the return on investment for students and the benefits for NC taxpayers.
The high-demand career paths quantified in the report include truck driver education, nursing, paralegal, bioprocess technology, and engineering jobs and programs.
Founded with support from the North Carolina General Assembly, leaders from the NC Association of Community College Presidents, the NC Community College System Office, the Center for Applied Research, the NC State’s Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, and the John M. Belk Endowment to work with national research leader Emsi Burning Glass to produce a regional economic impact study for each of the state’s 58 community colleges, as well as a statewide composite report.
The studies found that each of North Carolina’s community colleges pours millions of dollars into the regions it serves, creating jobs, wealth and opportunity for local residents. North Carolina’s 58 community colleges collectively have a $19 billion annual impact on the state’s economy and support one in every 19 jobs in the state.
“The return on investment in our community colleges is second to none — not just for students and parents, but for taxpayers and our entire national economy,” said Thomas Stith, president of the NC Community College System. “We are proud of the contributions made by our graduates and employees to improve and strengthen our North Carolina communities.”
The economic impact study found that for every dollar the state invests in North Carolina’s community colleges, the state gains $7.50 in additional income and social savings. Universities generate nearly twice the income they collect from taxpayers. For every $1 the state invests, taxpayers get back $1.90 in additional tax revenue and public sector savings.
“It was a privilege to have worked with and supported our education partners on this study from the start, as I was confident that the results would blow our minds. And it did. I think it’s fair to say that not many federally funded programs generate more revenue than they collect from taxpayers,” said State Senator Deanna Ballard, chair of the Senate Education Committee. “It is vital that our high school seniors and adults who want to learn new skills take advantage of the incredible opportunities their local community college offers.”
Community college graduates have higher incomes that contribute to a larger tax base and a growing state. Students earning an associate’s degree from an NC community college will see an annual increase in income of up to $7,000 or more compared to an individual with a high school diploma or equivalent. If the student builds on their associate’s degree to then earn a bachelor’s degree, their annual income also doubles on average.
“Our community colleges are one of the state’s most important assets in nurturing and accelerating the education and training of our state’s native talent,” said MC Belk Pilon, President and CEO of the John M. Belk Endowment. “As we look to the future, we must continue and accelerate investment in our 58 community colleges to ensure we increase access to economic mobility, prepare North Carolina residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and empower local and… further expand the state economy.”
Copies of the JCC Economic Impact Studies, Fact Sheets and Summaries are available online at https://bigroifornc.org/johnston/.
Visit BigROIforNC.org for more information on the statewide economic impact studies, including the state report, reports, factsheets, and summaries for each of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges.
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